Bus Éireann Women's National League Cup semi-final Round-up

Bus Éireann Women's National League Cup Semi-finals

Wexford Youths Women's AFC 2-1 Raheny United (AET)

Castlebar Celtic Women's 3-1 Peamount United

Wexford Youths and Castlebar Celtic will go head-to-head in the final of the Bus Éireann Women's National League Cup after defeating the league's elite pair Raheny United and Peamount United respectively in this afternoon's semi-finals.

League leaders Raheny were defeated 2-1 by Wexford Youths after extra time in Ferrycarrig Park. The Dubliners went 1-0 down to a Nicola Sinnott goal in the 12th minute and were kept at bay for almost the entirety of the game.

However, the visitors finally found a gap in the Youths defence deep into additional time at the end of the second period, and Siobhan Killeen grabbed the all-important equaliser to break Wexford hearts.

Thunder and lightning then began as the teams emerged for extra-time, and the hosts clearly didn't let the late blow in normal-time get to their heads.

A storm was brewing in more ways than one, and after and uneventful first-half, it finally erupted as Rianna Jarrett grabbed what proved to be the winner five minutes from time to book a place in the cup final.

Meanwhile in the other encounter there was a repeat of last year's final and this time an on-fire Emma Hansberry helped last year's runners-up Castlebar Celtic to a 3-1 victory over holders Peamount United at Celtic Park.

The in-form Celtic midfielder was directly involved in all three of her side's goals. It was Hansberry's 12th minute corner which was met fantastically by the head of Aisling Egan and directed past Peas goalkeeper Monica McGuirk to give the hosts a 1-0 lead.

However, Stephanie Roche drew Peamount level from the penalty spot in the 36th minute, sending Celtic goalkeeper Rachel King diving the wrong way.

The hosts regained their lead three minutes before the break with a fine goal from Hansberry. The midfielder was teed up perfectly on the edge of the box by Emma Mullin, and she sent the ball flying into the top right corner of the net through a packed penalty area.

The Castlebar women made it 3-1 in the 58th minute when a Hansberry corner was palmed into her own net by McGuirk.

The women from the west saw the game out brilliantly and maintained their two goal lead until the final whistle. The Dubliners, however, began to let frustration get the better of them and they saw midfielder Caroline Thorpe pick up a booking as a consequence.

The final will take place on May 18 at a venue to be confirmed.

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