FAI Cup Report: Bohemians 0-3 DLR Waves

DLR Waves, Ciara Maher, looks to knock the ball into space, during the Athlone Town v DLR Waves, WNL match at Athlone Town Stadium, Athlone on Saturday, 15 May 2021.

Maher scored DLR Waves' third goal as gthey secured their spot in the final eight of the FAI Cup Credit: Gerry Shanahan (ETPhotos)

Dave Donnelly reports from Dalymount Park

DLR Waves sealed their spot in the last eight of the FAI Cup with a comprehensive 3-0 win over Bohemians at Dalymount Park.

Goals from Carla McManus, Rachel Doyle and Ciara Maher saw the visitors into Tuesday's quarter-finals draw as their class told following a tense first half.

Bohs' first-ever WNL game on a Friday night, drew a large and vocal crowd on a chilly night in Phibsboro.

The last clash between the sides, scheduled for three weeks ago, was cancelled due to a Covid scare and Waves were awarded a 3-0 win.

The walkover score line proved prescient under the lights in Dublin 7 as Waves just had too much for a Bohs side who continue to improve massively on and off the pitch under Sean Byrne.

They were arguably the better side for the first 30 minutes against a battle-hardened Waves side whose squad depth matches any side in the division.

They created the first chance of note as Abbie Brophy broke free to stab a shot goalward, but Ireland stopper Eve Badana was behind it all the way.

Waves showed their clinical edge a minute later as the imperious Nadine Clare picked out Jetta Berrill on the right, and McManus nipped in front of Bohs keeper Courtney Maguire to open the scoring.

Waves never looked back from there and had chances to double their lead before the break, but long-range efforts from Fiona Donnelly and Clare proved fruitless.



They upped the ante second half and came within a whisker of a stunning second as Clare released Niamh Prior on the left with a peach of a pass.

The full back pulled the ball back to Doyle, arriving late on the edge of the box, but the former Peamount United playmaker leaned back and shot over.

She made amends within a minute, however, McManus showing her creative side with a precise chested pass for Doyle, who rifled home from 16 yards, getting a heavy knock in the process.

She was replaced by Avril Brierley, and the striker showed her class with a fine run to draw a professional foul from Yvonne Hedigan, Jess Gleeson smashing the free kick Happy Gilmore-style wide from 35 yards.

Brierley was dismayed not to add a third late on when picked out by Berrill in the centre. She turned and shot from eight yards but Maguire pulled off a terrific reaction stop.

Waves did get a third in injury time as Maher's cross shot shaved Hedigan's brow and looped over Maguire, and Waves join the other seven WNL teams in Tuesday's quarter-final draw



Bohemians WFC: Courtney Maguire; Ann Marie Byrne, Isobel Finnegan, Yvonne Hedigan, Hannah Tobin-Jones (Bronagh Kane, 71); Abbie Brophy (Lara Phipps, 85), Ally Cahill, Chloe Darby, Lisa Murphy, Sophie Watters; Erica Burke.

Subs not used: Jade Reddy, Niamh Kenna, Georgia Monks, Abbie O’Hara, Sadhbh Moran, Emma McGrath, Trish Fennelly.

DLR Waves: Eve Badana; Aoife Brophy, Jessica Gleeson, Niamh Prior; Niamh Barnes, Jetta Berrill, Nadine Clare (Ciara Maher, 86), Catherine Cronin (Kerri Letmon, 75 (Shauna Carroll, 86)), Fiona Donnelly, Rachel Doyle (Avril Brierley, 67); Carla McManus.

Subs not used: Rugile Auskalnyte, Nicole Keogh, Katie Burdis, Oleta Griffin, Rachael O’Neill.

Attendance: 200

    About Dave Donnelly

    Drogheda is in Meath. View Full Profile