BY Jonny Stapleton
Noelle Murray scored one of the all-time great FAI Cup goals to send Shelbourne into their first final in five years.
The experienced striker produced a moment of pure magic to register the only goal of the tie, thus settling a tight and tense semi-final in the favour of the Tolka Park side.
In pure Matt le Tisser fashion, the former Irish International delicately lifted the ball over two bamboozled Galway defenders, before dispatching emphatically to virtually send her side marching into the decider.
It was a fitting way to win any semi-final and only fitting one of the club’s emerging legends –with three FAI Cup wins to her name – scored it.
Murray understandably grabbed the headlines at Tolka Park on Saturday but goalkeeper Amanda Budden also played a part in Shels overcoming a recent semi-final hoodoo.
The netminder minded her net superbly in a tie where 10 man Galway were always a threat.
Meanwhile, Peamount
United’s double dreams were dashed as they suffered defeat in the weekend’s other semi-final.
The WNL league leaders were surprised by Wexford Youths in PRL Park, the reigning champions being dethroned after extra time.
Regular Wexford goal-getter Kylie Murphy’s strike looked enough to win it for Youths before Aine O’Gorman popped up in injury time to equalize for the Peas and send the match to extra time.
It looked primed for the Greenogue side to take over going into extra time and set up a fantasy final with league rivals Shels, only for Wexford to finish stronger. A second strike from Murphy and a Lynn Marie Grant finish saw Youths win with two goals to spare.
The results mean Shelbourne and Wexford Youths will meet in the final on Sunday, November 21st in Tallaght Stadium, live on RTÉ2.
Shells will look to keep the pressure up on their Dublin rivals when they return to league action this weekend. Noel Kings side sit are in third behind second-place Wexford on goal difference and with a game in hand.
If results go their way and they defeat Treaty United away on Sunday they could move to within a point of front runners Peamount.
Peamount will be hoping to keep their points cushion well and truly fluffed going into the final two games of the season.
Victory over Athlone at home on Saturday evening will move United to within touching distance of another trophy.
UCD Wave and Bohemians also play on Saturday in a mid-table Dublin derby.
Nicola Sinnott of Wexford Youths in action against Rebecca Watkins of Peamount during the FAI Women’s Cup semi-final at PRL Park , Greenogue. Photo: Matt Browne/Sportsfile
Noelle Murray fires Shelbourne into the FAI Womeb’s Cup final.
Photo: Eóin Noonan/Sportsfile
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