Women's league clubs dominate in FAI Cup first round

Rebekah Cassin is congratulated after she scored for Cork City against Douglas Hall in the 2024 Sports Direct Women's FAI Cup.

Women’s FAI Cup upsets were nowhere to be seen on Saturday as the national league clubs prevailed to the quarter-finals with aplomb.

At Turner’s Cross, there were plenty of familiar faces in the Douglas Hall side for the Leeside derby but the ex-Cork City contingent couldn’t cope with the current batch.

Kiera Senna’s eight-minute penalty set the tone and her second within a minute scotched any notions of a shock.

Becky Cassin and captain Eva Mangan also grabbed braces in a 9-0 landslide for a team enjoying their best season since entering the league.

Up next for Danny Murphy’s side is the visit of joint-leaders Shelbourne to the Cross next Saturday (5pm).

Also on the end of a 9-0 drubbing were Wexford side Ferns United at the hands of Treaty United.

Only two goals separated the sides at the break but Treaty boss, ex-Ireland international Dominic Foley, noted his side’s superior skills and fitness told in the second half at Markets Field, with Danielle Steer scoring twice.

DLR Waves grabbed two goals in each half during a 4-0 victory over Whitehall Rangers. Shannon Coady, Rachel Doyle, Keelin Dodd and Isobel Finnegan were on target.

Terenure Rangers, who recently retained their FAI Amateur Cup crown by beating Whitehall, travelled to Sligo Rovers and found themselves trailing 2-0 at the break through a couple of Paula McGrory goals, the second from the penalty spot. Tommy Hewitt’s basement side forgot their league struggles by adding three more to complete a 5-0 rout.

In the meetings with league sides, Shelbourne recorded an impressive 3-1 victory at Galway United.

Alex Kavanagh fired Shels into an early lead which was cancelled out by Aislinn Meaney immediately after the interval.

Irish international Éabha O'Mahony restored the visitors’ lead with 15 minutes left and Hannah Healy made their passage safe with a third shortly afterwards.

League holders Peamount United bowed out at the first hurdle, with Bohemians securing a major 2-1 win at Dalymount Park. Goals from Alannah McEvoy and Katie Malone put them in command by half-time and they withstood a late siege after Ellen Dolan’s 81st-minite penalty halved the deficit.

Goalkeeper Amanda Budden helped Shamrock Rovers edge out Wexford 6-5 in a penalty shoot-out. Rovers had missed a penalty after just 12 minutes when Jenna Merren made the save but they forged ahead through Melissa O’Kane before Ellen Molloy equalised with two minutes remaining.

The seven winners join holders Athlone Town, who received a bye. In the draw for the quarter-finals. The final will be held on Sunday, October 20 at Tallaght Stadium.

Women’s FAI quarter-finalists: Athlone Town, Bohemians, Cork City, DLR Waves, Galway United, Shamrock Rovers, Sligo Rovers, Treaty, United.