Eureka for Kells girls

Eureka turned on the style to defeat local side Benfica in the FAI Women's All-Ireland Intermediate Cup semi-final at Waterford Regional Sports Centre on Sunday. Wind-assisted Eureka didn't waste any time in laying down a marker with Laura Connolly, Amanda O'Reilly and Louise McKeever taking a stranglehold in midfield. The skills of Kellie Allen along the left wing also quickly became one of Eureka's main attacking threats. It was Allen who came closest to scoring early on when she got to the end of a Connolly cross. Instead of finishing up in the net the ball flashed past the post inches wide. That served to encourage Leonard Noone's team and they got further encouragement soon after when an Allen shot rebounded off the bar. The relentless pressure finally told on 25 minutes when McKeever stepped up to direct the ball to the net with a super shot from the edge of the box, but Benfica hit back with a quick equaliser. Eureka continued to press with Gillian Farrelly and Lisa Keenan threatening. Keenan looked certain to score only to see here effort cleared off the line. Connolly hit the high point of what was an outstanding overall display when she got the crucial second for Eureka after the resumption. Eureka had their difficulties from then on with Allen and Farrelly picking up injuries that blunted their attack. At the back Bridgetta Lynch did an excellent job. The closing stages were dominated by the Waterford side and the Eureka defence, well-marshalled by Joanna Byrne, stood firm against sustained assaults. It was in that final spell that Irene Munnelly came to the fore making a series of excellent saves. Eureka now play either Douglas Hall from Cork or Donegal side Lagan Harps on Sunday 3rd October. Eureka, Kells - Irene Munnelly; Una Murphy, Louise Byrne, Joanna Byrne, Brigetta Lynch, Amanda O'Reilly, Laura Connolly, Louise McKeever, Gillian Farrelly, Lisa Keenan, Kellie Allen. Subs - Jackie Kavanagh for Allen, Sinead Monaghan for Lynch, Jennifer Newman, Marjorie Loughran.