CollegeTillIDie
24/04/2006, 6:38 AM
Benfica founded in 1965 , Waterford's oldest surviving Women's football club, won their First Wexford and District League Premier Division title yesterday, by beating Enniscorthy United 6-0. With one round remaining in the 14 game season Benfica have 37 points and cannot be caught by second placed Clonee United who have 33 points. Benfica were elected into the Wexford League for the 2001/2002 season, when they set up their second adult team.
Having entered a team in both the Intermediate and Senior W.F.A.I. Cups for the first time in 2001, the team needed a League to participate in.
Preliminary negotiations with the Tipperary League, did not succeed so the invitation to join Wexford as accepted by both parties .
Benfica were parachuted , by a vote of all the member clubs , directly into the Premier Division which was being expanded, in their debut season.
And in 2001/02 narrowly avoided relegation. The second season saw a respectable 3rd place finish and their first Premier Cup success.
2003/04 saw a second place finish in the League and 2004/05 saw Benfica finish as beaten Cup Finalists and another second place finish in the League.
It was especially sweet moment for Martina Cashin, who started the game, and Rebecca Robinson, Rachel Beckett and Lisa Dower who were all introduced as substitutes. On 21 October 2001 when Benfica made their Wexford League debut away to Wexford Celtic, they returned home having lost 6-1. All four of the above named players were in the panel that day, and again yesterday when the League title was won.
Congratulations to all the players for their efforts this season and also to Team Manager Freddie Robinson whose 5 years of work for the club have borne fruit with this long overdue success.
In the game itself, leading scorer Breanne O'Connor grabbed 2 goals, Linda Douglas scored 1, Carol Breen scored 2 goals and veteran Therese Leahy scored the final goal. Breanne O'Connor has scored 13 League goals so far this season and currently is the leading scorer in the League.
Benfica's senior team will begin their Dublin Womens Soccer League Premier Division 2006 summer season campaign next month. :D
Having entered a team in both the Intermediate and Senior W.F.A.I. Cups for the first time in 2001, the team needed a League to participate in.
Preliminary negotiations with the Tipperary League, did not succeed so the invitation to join Wexford as accepted by both parties .
Benfica were parachuted , by a vote of all the member clubs , directly into the Premier Division which was being expanded, in their debut season.
And in 2001/02 narrowly avoided relegation. The second season saw a respectable 3rd place finish and their first Premier Cup success.
2003/04 saw a second place finish in the League and 2004/05 saw Benfica finish as beaten Cup Finalists and another second place finish in the League.
It was especially sweet moment for Martina Cashin, who started the game, and Rebecca Robinson, Rachel Beckett and Lisa Dower who were all introduced as substitutes. On 21 October 2001 when Benfica made their Wexford League debut away to Wexford Celtic, they returned home having lost 6-1. All four of the above named players were in the panel that day, and again yesterday when the League title was won.
Congratulations to all the players for their efforts this season and also to Team Manager Freddie Robinson whose 5 years of work for the club have borne fruit with this long overdue success.
In the game itself, leading scorer Breanne O'Connor grabbed 2 goals, Linda Douglas scored 1, Carol Breen scored 2 goals and veteran Therese Leahy scored the final goal. Breanne O'Connor has scored 13 League goals so far this season and currently is the leading scorer in the League.
Benfica's senior team will begin their Dublin Womens Soccer League Premier Division 2006 summer season campaign next month. :D