FAI: Match Preview | FAI Women's Amateur Shield Final

https://www.fai.ie/sites/default/fil...ge/1791611.jpg


It is Dublin v Cork in the final of the competition which will interest two members of the Ireland Women's National Team with Denise O'Sullivan's niece Caitlin set to turn out for Wilton whilst Ringsend's Abbie Larkin has often trained with Pat's CY over the years.
Both sides have come through difficult provincial ties and close run semi-finals to reach the final as both clubs look to put their name of the trophy for the first time in their history.
Match Details
Competition: FAI Women’s Amateur Shield Final 2023
Fixture: St Patrick’s CYFC vs Wilton United
Venue: Newhill Park, St Kevin’s FC – Two-Mile Borris
Date: Saturday, August 19
KO: 2pm
Match Officials
Referee: Sarah Dyas
Assistant Referee 1: Katie O'Brien
Assistant 2: Hannah O'Brien
Fourth Official: John Hayes
St. Patrick's CYFC | Route to the Final
Round One
St. Pat's CY 4-3 Whitehall Rangers
Round Two
St. Pat's CY 3-1 Raheny United
Quarter-Final
St. John Bosco FC 2-4 St. Pat's CY
Semi-Final
Mullingar Athletic 1-2 St. Pat's CY
Wilton United | Route to the Final
Round One
Lakewood Athletic 0-2 Wilton United
Round Two
Wilton United 5-0 Kilkerrin United
Quarter-Final
Wilton United 2-1 Douglas Hall
Semi-Final
Wilton United 2-1 Glenthorn Celtic (AET)
Manager Interview | St. Pat's CY manager Rachel McGuinness
"It's been a bit of a whirlwind, not just this season but since 2021 really because we're a totally new women's section under St. Pat's CY and as time has gone on, we've gone from strength to strength and better as time has gone on.
"We had a core group of players and over the years, word of mouth to what we were doing spread and we got so many new members and before you know it, we were up to 40 players, and two teams. A lot of work has gone in behind the scenes with the coaches and volunteers at the club but also the work of our sponsors who are invaluable to what we do and it wouldn't be possible without their support.
"We wanted to give women's football a platform in Ringsend and obviously Abbie (Larkin) would be very close to a lot of us, she sometimes comes in and trains with us. She's a fantastic ambassador for the area and the young girls really look up to her which is great.
"The final is what we aimed for at the start of the year, I felt we were unlucky last year but to beat Whitehall in the first round was massive and we've gone from strength of strength. The win over Mullingar in the semi-final was particularly special as we were down a few numbers but got through it to get to Saturday.
"Having players like Sinead Taylor is a dream, the extra element of experience and the fact she is top-scorer shows how important she is around the place but also for the young players in the team. We've also got the likes of Kim Flood and Susan Vaughan who would be really experienced as well which is great for the squad.
"We can't wait for Saturday. We've got a 32-seater for the team which will be full and a 52-seater for the supporters which is also full and plenty driving down so we'll have some great support as well as the Cambridge U11 team who will be our mascots on the day. Wilton will be a strong, physical side but we don't underestimate them at all. We'll have to step up to the mark on Saturday to get the win."
Manager Interview | Wilton United manager Louis Nolan
"Everyone is looking forward to it, it is my first year with the club as manager so it is a big achievement from everyone involved to get to the final. It has been a tough run to the final especially considering when we look back and we've operated on a squad of 13 or 14 players so it shows just how well we've done really.
"The strength we've got in the squad with the players we have is fantastic and the players should be really proud of themselves. It has definitely surpassed the ambitions we had at the start of the year, we went in looking to get the club back on track. Our remit was really to get the players to enjoy playing again so to get to the position we're in is huge for us.
"Luckily, we had a good base of players in the club who are all good people who want to do well which makes our life easier as they've done a massive job and really progressed as the season has gone on.
"We've done our homework on Pat's CY, they're a strong outfit of course but we'll try and implement a game plan and impose ourselves to try and win the game. It is a good challenge for us and we want to enjoy the day but of course, come out with the win. The competition has really shown the strength of the women's game at the moment and teams we've played from across the country have been strong.
"Everyone was buzzing with Denise (O'Sullivan) going to the World Cup and her niece is actually playing in the team with us. I'm sure Caitlin will want to do her family proud and follow in Denise's footsteps. It's going to be a great day and we've had great support in the local community, it's a great boost for the whole club and this is going to be a great day for everyone involved."
St. Pat's CY | Squad
Goalkeepers: Serena Hannon, Sinead Whelan
Defenders: Orlagh Murphy, Laura Carroll, Anna Mullan, Mariah Sullivan, Aoife Roche, Siobhan McGinley
Midfielders: Cara Cooke, Susan Vaughan, Thais Fonseca Lopes, Patricia Dorman, Aisling Woods, Kim Flood, Hannah Tyrrell, Rachel Byrne, Carla Moran.
Forwards: Sinead Taylor, Erica Nangle.
Wilton United | Squad
Goalkeepers: Allie Ashley, Ailbhe Moloney.
Defenders: Grace O'Driscoll, Eimear Roantree, Lynda O'Connell, Sophie Hurley, Zoe Murphy, Niamh O'Regan, Catherine Cooke.
Midfielders: Katie Barwitzki, Emma O'Connor, Barbara O'Connell, Aoife O'Brien, Stephanie O'Sullivan
Forwards: Lydia Looney, Elizabeth O'Connor, Ava Ronan, Caitlin O'Sullivan, Robyn Murphy, Allie Mullins O'Keeffe.



Choose Site:
Domestic


Domestic Category:
Competitions


Introduction:
The scene is set for a fascinating finale of the FAI Women's Amateur Shield competition as St. Pat's CY face Wilton United at St. Kevin's FC in Two-Mile Borris, Tipperary.




[MORE]