MUCKROSS won the Leinster Senior Cup for a record 30th time at Grange Road yesterday. The defending champions finished off Loreto with a flurry of goals in the second period of extra-time.
With the scores level at 1-1 at time and after the first period extra-time, Loreto saw the roof fall in, on them when they conceded short corner goals to Patricia McHugh and one from Kathy Johnstone. It was a sad and demoralising finish for the losers as they were, at the very least, deserving of a replay.
Muckross had led as early as the 10th minute of the match. McHugh's short corner strike found its way past goalkeeper Miriam Doyle.
Loreto could have turned over level at the break. Right wing Emma Walkin was given three opportunities, but failed, to turn them to good effect. However, Mary Barnwell, Loreto's evergreen former Irish international, scored their 56th-minute, short corner equaliser.
Loreto, last winners of the trophy in 1977 and beaten finalists on five occasions since, looked as though they might prevail this time in the first period of added time, but Gerry, O'Neill fluffed a scoring chance and Elaine Goddard saw her shot cleared off the goal-line by Deirdre Courtney.
However, Loreto's inadequacy in dealing with short corners was exposed to the full in the final period of extra-time. McHugh completed her hat-trick with two goals from set-pieces, while Cathy Johnson finished the scoring soon afterwards.
The Munster Senior Cup final ended in a scoreless draw between UCC and Harlequins at Garyduff yesterday. The replay takes place at Harlequin Park next Sunday.
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