Peamount United progress in Champions League while Saoirse Noonan's hat-trick sees Celtic through

"As a striker that's what I'm brought on to do. My first hat-trick with the club, my first hat-trick in the Champions League, it was a nice day," said Noonan.

HAIL HAIL THE HAT-TRICK HERO: Saoirse Noonan was introduced as a second half substitute and scored a hat-trick as Celtic came from behind to defeat Finnish side KuPS in their Women's UEFA Champions League Round 1 qualifier. Pic: Celtic FC Women

Saoirse Noonan was introduced as a second half substitute and scored a hat-trick as Celtic came from behind to defeat Finnish side KuPS in their Women's UEFA Champions League Round 1 qualifier while Peamount United also defeated Belarusians Dinamo-BGU FK in their tie.

The Celts and the Peas entered the tournament through the 'Champions Path', which means they have to come through a Round 1 semi-final and final before making it to Round 2.

Both sides have progressed to the final after their respective extra time victories on Wednesday.

The Irish side took an early lead through Ellen Dolan before the opposition hit back just after the half hour mark from a corner.

They remained locked at 1-1 at the end of normal time so an additional period was required.

And in the 95th minute, Kerri Letmon grabbed what ultimately proved to be the winner to set up a meeting with either Osijek or Slovakian outfit Spartak Myjava this Saturday.

Elsewhere Celtic were trailing 1-0 on the hour when Saoirse Noonan, on her Champions League debut, emerged from the substitute's bench and the Cork native made an immediate impact in Lithuania, firing home the loose ball from close-range after the goalkeeper spilled Republic of Ireland international Caithlin Hayes' cross.

Making memories to last a lifetime 💚💚🇮🇪 https://t.co/CicevP4TDV

— Saoirse Noonan (@saoirse_noonan) September 4, 2024

The two teams couldn't be separated at the end of the 90 plus minutes so extra time was required to see who would progress to the final.

And shortly after extra time began Noonan struck again as she slotted the ball home from a few yards out after good work from Kit Loferski.

The former Cork City and Shelbourne striker completed her hat-trick in the 97th minute and this time it was all down to her own hard work as she forced the defender into making a mistake before drilling the ball into the top corner to seal the match ball and Celtic's place in the final, where they will face either FC Gintra of Lithuania or Agarista CSF Anenii Noi of Moldova.

"I don't think I ever thought that we were going to lose," Noonan told Celtic TV shortly after full-time.

"I knew there were chances there and I knew someone was going to get on the end of something so yeah, I was delighted.

"As a striker that's what I'm brought on to do. First of all coming into the Champions League, I was saying to my parents just enjoy the experience. My first hat-trick with the club, my first hat-trick in the Champions League, it was a nice day."