Snoddy’s winner books Larne’s spot in last four

Leigh Snoddy’s extra-time winner booked Larne’s progress to the semi-final of the competition.

The home side started the brighter of the two with Larne looking nervy in the opening exchanges as they tried to shake off the effects of their long journey to the south side of Dublin.

Once settled, they began to hold their own and looked dangerous on the break with the front three linking well and the midfield protecting the defence.

Despite the end-to-end nature of the game, neither keeper was properly tested as both defences were able to limit the attackers to only a handful of half-chances.

The second half started at a higher tempo than the first and Larne created by far the best chance of the game roughly five minutes in.

A lovely through-ball found Zoe Purdy in space behind the home defence. She drove from wide left into the circle and squared the ball to Kerry McIlwaine, who was millimetres away from connecting.

As Larne looked for the opener, Rovers attempted to catch them on the counter-attack but Larne captain Trish Neill remained virtually untested in goal.

As time went on, both sides began to tire and the game finished goalless during regulation time.

The first period of extra-time was an uneventful affair and it was always going to take something special to prevent the game being decided by penalty flicks.

Midway through the second period Larne were awarded a penalty corner. A perfectly executed drag-flick from Snoddy rattled the underside of the crossbar and dropped over the line for what proved to be the winning strike.

Team: T. Neill, N. Kempton, C. Greenwood, R. Dalton, L. Snoddy, G. Rennix, G. Russell, S. Mcgookin, Z. Purdy, C. Mcilwaine, K. Mcilwaine, L. Booth, S. Mills, A. Mcfall, C. Morrow.

Larne Ladies 3rd XI hosted Holywood II on Friday night when a Jackie Spence double secured a 2-0 victory. Lucy McClelland had a busy evening in goal but managed to keep a clean sheet.