O’Halloran secures more glory for Railway as Loreto are pipped

Julia O'Halloran proved the match winner for the second successive league final as her superbly taken penalty piled on the agony on Loreto for a second successive year.

The Beaufort side had led 2-1 after the first quarter, though Alex Speers volleyed home the first for Railway after four minutes. But the response was quick with Cathy McKean finishing past Grace O’Flanagan.

Loreto took the lead from another innovative move as left to Nikki Symmons fired home. The second quarter was tighter though the chances kept flowing with O’Flanagan somehow denying Nikki Keegan while Jessie Elliott’s strong boot denied a volley of Railway attacks.

Sinead Dooley levelled early in the second half and Kate Lloyd’s virtuoso solo effort had Railway in front for a second time in the 49th minute.

Symmons, though, sent the game to extra time when she cracked home her second corner. She was to score in the penalty shoot-out, too, but O'Halloran had the final word.
LORETO: J Elliott, A Meeke, S McGirr, N Keegan, C McKean, C O'Kelly, R Keegan, L Colvin, N Small, H Mathews, A Campion. Subs: N Daly, N Symmons, S Scott, S Clarke, H Mulcahy, J McGirr, R Murphy.
RAILWAY UNION: G O'Flanagan, K Dillon, J O'Halloran, H Jenkinson, J McDonnell, E Smyth, E Lucey, E Dolan, A Speers, S Dooley, O Fox. Subs: K Lloyd, Z Delany, K McKenna, C O'Loughlin, R Barnett