Bellurgan United crowned Women's Challenge Cup winners

Bellurgan United's quest for victory in the UHY Farrelly Dawe White Women’s Challenge Cup has seen them go down in the past two finals. On each occasion they were beaten by a single goal.

Their determination not to make it a hat-trick was there for all to see in Saturday’s final in Navan.

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The newly-formed Dunshaughlin Youths were in opposition, and together the teams combined to provide a cracking match played in difficult conditions.

In the end, the more experienced Bellurgan were ahead, winning by 2-0. Great celebrations followed, with the travelling supporters giving their team a great reception.

Bellurgan had most of the possession in the first half, and they put pressure on the Dunshaughlin defence.

They got their reward after 15 minutes, when after a scramble in the box, a Dunshaughlin defender put the ball in her own net. That’s how it stood at half-time, 1-0.

Dunshaughlin were more determined than ever in the second half, and had Bellurgan on guard. But the Bellurgan defence held firm, with Aisling Fee and goalkeeper Una Pearson repelling any attacks from the opposition.

The decisive moment came in the 47th minute when Bellurgan were awarded a penalty. Lynn Craven, who was excellent throughout in the middle of the park, stepped up to coolly slot the ball home.

Another key player for the winners was Captain Claire Callan, who, surrounded by joyous supporters and teammates, accepted the trophy which the Bellurgan girls had longed for.

Bellurgan United U16s also had a 4-1 victory over Albion Rovers in Oriel Park on Sunday evening to make it a double for the club over the weekend.

(Bellurgan U16 LSGL Cup winners)