Mullins and Hannon put Salthill on winning road

Date Published: 01-Jun-2010

SALTHILL Devon went about qualifying for the Women’s FAI Senior Cup semi final in a business-like fashion at Drom on Sunday as three opening half goals set the tone and, for the remainder of the contest, they were in cruise control as the visiting Dublin side were just totally outclassed.

The defeat of St Catherine’s means that both of last year’s finalists are now out of the competition as St Francis have also departed. The gulf in class between the visitors and Devon was apparent as the home side dictated matters from the off and two early goals by Kara Mullins and Lucy Hannon gave them a reward for all the authority they displayed.

However, the decisive score came just before the break as Hannon scored her second with a superb solo effort.

That goal really put the issue beyond doubt and there was no way back for their struggling opponents.

Catherine’s goalkeeper Charlene McKenna was already warming to the task at hand as early saves thwarted Kara Mullins on two occasions, but there was little she could do as Devon opened their account on 14 minutes.

The pace and control of Julieanne Russell created the opening as she set up Mullins and the Briarfield native displayed all her predatory instincts with a first time finish from the edge of the box.

It was then the turn of the striker to turn provider as she set up fellow front runner Lucy Hannon and after gathering a through ball, she made it 2-0 with a low effort past the advancing McKenna.

Unchallenged at the back and in total control in midfield, Salthill Devon continued to threaten and following an Emer Flatley corner, Meave de Burca had a header taken off the line on 29 minutes.

Now the Dublin side had capable performers in Caroline Thorp, Pearl Slattery, Ailish and Noell Murray, but the problem was that they were all attacking players and just didn’t get enough possession to threaten the home side.

The crucial third goal came right on 45 minutes when a Noelle Murray free kick was blocked by the Devon defensive wall and in seconds Lucy Hannon was instigating a swift counter attack from her own half. Powering through the visitors defence which didn’t know which way to turn, the Dunmore girl calmly made it 3-0 with a side footed effort past the dazed McKenna.

The second half lacked the same cutting edge and as a result fewer opportunities were created. Mullins and de Burca failed to hit the target from close range following Russell corners, while efforts by Tessa Mullins and Jenny Critchley were also off the mark.

Devon gave Irish U17 captain Dora Gorman a run in the second half and her quality just added to the talent available.

Just once was Tina Hughes extended as she saved a Noelle Murray drive on 80 minutes, while the home side got a late reward for their endeavours when Critchley made it 4-0 with a close range finish on 88 minutes.