Proud day for Amanda McQuillan after Shels crush Athlone in FAI Cup final
Former Johnstown FC and Trim Celtic goalkeeper Amanda McQuillan was in top form as she helped Shelbourne to victory over Athlone Town in the Women's FAI Cup Final at Tallaght Stadium on Sunday.
The victory was overshadowed somewhat by the news that Ciarán Kilduff has stepped down from his role as head coach of the Athlone Town women’s team.
In Sunday afternoon's FAI Cup final, Shelbourne crushed Athlone with a first-half blitz. Kate Mooney and Noelle Murray scored two each, with Jess Gargan and Leah Doyle also on target before Brenda Ebika Tabe pulled one back for Athlone.
This was the third straight year that the two teams faced off in this showpiece event with one win apiece going into this encounter.
Athlone won last year's final on penalties but after Mooney opened the scoring on seven minutes, the Dublin outfit always looked likely victors on this occasion.
Athlone were hoping to become double champions after winning the SSE Airtricity Women's Premier Division, but they had no answer once Shels hit top gear. The absence of team captain Laurie Ryan through injury was a significant blow to Athlone's hopes.
In front of a crowd of 3,811, Eoin Wearen's side dominated from the start. Mooney nicked in ahead of goalkeeper Katie Keane, who is from Ratoath, to get things going before Murray converted a penalty and Gargan volleyed in from close range - all inside the opening half hour.
Player of the Match award winner Murray pulled the strings in attack and got her second goal just before the interval after Mooney had also scored again. Doyle's goal brought the scoreline to an incredible 6-0, before Ebika Tabe scored a consolation goal for Athlone before half-time.
There were no goals in the second half but Shelbourne's third FAI Cup success was already assured as Athlone's double hopes were ended in comprehensive fashion.
Shelbourne: Amanda McQuillan; Jess Gargan, Pearl Slattery, Keeva Keenan; Christie Gray, Maggie Pierce, Alex Kavanagh, Roma McLaughlin, Leah Doyle; Noelle Murray, Kate Mooney. Subs: Hannah Healy for Gray (71 mins), Rachel Graham for Kavanagh (71), Jemma Quinn for Murray (79), Megan Smyth-Lynch for Mooney (79), Rebecca Devereux for McLaughlin (85).
Athlone Town: Katie Keane; Ciara O'Neill, Kayleigh Shine, Jesi Rossman, Shauna Brennan; Roisin Molloy, Kate Slevin; Hazel Donegan, Kellie Brennan, Madison Gibson; Brenda Ebika Tabe. Subs: Emily Burke for O'Neill (46 mins), Isabel Ryan for Molloy (83), Maeve Wollmer for Donegan (83), Taylor Anderson for Slevin (89).
Referee: Daniel Murphy.