Ballymackey Ladies progress in FAI Amateur Cup

Ballymackey faced fellow Tipperary opposition for the first time in two years as they welcomed Thurles’ Peake Villa to Ballinree for a round of 32 clash in the FAI Amateur Shield on Sunday.

The home side started strongly and had created a host of chances before Lisa Toohey gave them the lead powering home a super header direct from an Aoibhín Delaney throw in.

Another Delaney throw led to a goal-line scramble, with Joanne O’Brien eventually forcing the ball over the line for Ballymackey’s second goal to leave the score 2-0 at the break.

In very hot conditions, Ballymackey were able to unleash a very strong bench into second half action. O’Brien added her second goal finishing off a flowing team move and Christine O’Keefe got in on the goal scoring action with a second half brace to leave the scoreline 5-0 at the final whistle.

The Ballymackey back line with Emma Nolan, Chloe Whyte, Lisa Toohey, Karan Hogan, Nicole Ryan, and Chloe McAuliffe all in situ at various times, performed well restricting opportunities for Peake Villa to get at Darra Bourke’s goal. Thia McCarthy brought a lot of energy to midfield and Kate Cavanagh was the player of the match with a complete performance in and out of possession.

Ballymackey’s CCFL season concludes next Sunday at 2.00pm when they take on Willow Park in the Women’s Cup Final in Frank O’Connell Park, Birr.

They can now also look forward to National Cup open draw for the round of 16 in this competition with ties to be played the weekend of June 1st.