IT’S a massive day in store for the Bonagee United Ladies as they sit one game away from the FAI Amateur Cup final.
Chris McNulty’s side take on Killester-Donnycarney of the Leinster Senior League in the final four, and Bonagee’s Caoimhne Heron is hoping they can get a big crowd into the Dry Arch Park today to cheer them on.
Ballingarry AFC of Limerick went 1-0 up early on in the quarter-final but the Fanad woman quickly equalised and Bonagee would go on to win 3-1 thanks to further goals from Geraldine McLaughlin and Bronagh Gallagher.
The win also sealed a place in the draw for the FAI Senior Cup, where they have been drawn away to Women’s Premier Division side Sligo Rovers.
“I equalised a couple of minutes later, the ‘keeper was lobbed and then we got the goal up again.
“We had the most chances in the game but it was against the run of play at the time for them but thankfully we got back on top.
“We knew what was at stake for that game because last year we got into that Senior Cup as well and we obviously want to be back there again.
“But the Intermediate Cup is the main aim for us and obviously it’s nice then for us to have another cup competition and be on the senior stage again.”
That win in the quarter-final came at Dry Arch Park and the home draw was something that Heron said helped spur them on to victory.
And now as they take on Killester-Donnycarney today, they were fortunate to get a home draw once again.
It’s a big change from their run to the FAI Intermediate Cup semi-final last year, which has now been rebranded to the Amateur Cup, as they had to travel to Dublin in the quarter-final then losing out to Douglas Hall in Cork at the final four stage.
“To be back again in our home ground as well is a massive achievement and the whole club will be backing us now.
“Last year we were in Cork and didn’t have the support because it’s not just down the road so we’re all delighted to have a home tie.
“That extra backing, you don’t realise how much you need it until you’re on the pitch, it does give you that extra boost in the final ten minutes.
“Last year we were away in Dublin for the quarter-finals so we had two or three down but again this time was a lot different. It was mad to see the crowd that came out to see us and support us and hopefully we’ll get the same crowd out again on Sunday.”
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