For Cork City and Bohemians, the Sports Direct Women's FAI Cup has been viewed as a significant opportunity to make the season one to remember.
When the action was all said and done, it was Cork City who kept their cup dreams - and being part of the biggest day in Irish women's domestic football - alive.
This contest ignited in extra-time.
A wonderful long-range finish by Orlaith O’Mahony put Danny Murphy’s City side ahead. That was before Bohs responded through a goal from Katie Malone.
But a late, late goal from Barrett Eidson sparked wild celebrations and put City into the final four on a memorable evening at Turner’s Cross.
There was little to separate the two sides in a tense and a tightly contested first half where 2017 winners City went close to scoring in the opening stages through the lively running of Colleen Kennedy O’Connell, who forced an early save out of Bohs' goalkeeper Rachael Kelly.
The home side went close in the 35th minute as Eva Mangan got a decent strike away, but it was saved. Bohs then took aim through a Sarah Power long-range strike which was dealt with well by City goalkeeper Una Foyle while the visitors also threatened through a shot by Alannah McEvoy.
But at the half-time break, there was nothing to separate City and Bohs, with all to play for heading into the second half.
In a similar fashion to the opening 45 minutes, the second half also developed into a rigid affair. Mangan let fly for City on the hour mark but her attempt sailed over the crossbar.
The Leesiders threatened again on 68 minutes when a great ball across by Shaunagh McCarthy picked out Barrett Eidson, but her shot was saved by Kelly.
As this duel edged towards the final 15 minutes of normal time, City created what was at that stage the best chance of the match when Becky Cassin fired over the crossbar from inside the penalty area.
Bohs were still very much in the fight and McEvoy took aim from distance, but City goalkeeper Foyle gathered easily.
In second-half stoppage time, Bohs went close as Aoibhe Fleming forced a good save out of Foyle.
Given the nature of this contest, there was perhaps little surprise that extra-time was ultimately required.
Sarah Power went close for the visitors in the first half of those extra periods, but that was just moments before a real moment of magic at Turner's Cross.
From outside the box, O’Mahony took aim and she found the top corner of the net with a screamer of a strike that was of the highest quality.
There was a further twist in the tale as in the early stages of the second half of extra-time, Bohemians got back on level terms when Malone struck.
With a penalty shootout looming large, City struck for a 120th-minute winner as Eidson was in the right place at the right time to turn home a Mangan ball across.
Bohs kept going again though in stoppage time, with City goalkeeper Foyle forced into a wonderful save to deny Lisa Murphy.
Cork City: Una Foyle, Shaunagh McCarthy (Kiera Sena, 76), Heidi Mackin, Orlaith O’Mahony (Chloe Atkinson, 111), Eva Mangan, Freya de Mange, Niamh Cotter (Ciara McNamara, 46), Barrett Eidson, Colleen Kennedy O’Connell (Christina Dring, 111), Alix Mendez, (Lauren Walsh, 111), Becky Cassin.
Bohemians: Rachael Kelly, Lisa Murphy, Tiegan Ruddy, Fiona Donnelly (Savannah Kane, 91), (Leah Riley, 97), Aoibhe Brennan, Sarah McKevitt, Alannah McEvoy, Katie Malone (Abbie O’Hara, 119), Sarah Power, Katie Lovely (Antea Guvo, 106), Shauna Carroll (Aoibhe Fleming, 54).
Referee: Eoghan O’Shea.
Sligo Rovers may still be awaiting their first league win of the season, but they booked a spot in the semi-finals following a 3-1 win over DLR Waves at the UCD Bowl.
The hosts started the brighter but found themselves behind in the 19th minute when Anna McDaniel struck, and Kelsey Munroe doubled their advantage 35 minutes in directly from a corner.
Waves needed a response, and they got it instantly when Robyn Bolger turned home Abbie Brophy's cross, and that's how it remained at the break.
Sligo secured their place in the last four with another corner causing issues for the hosts, Paula McGrody finally turning the ball home.
Holders Athlone Town earned a 2-1 win over Treaty United to keep their dreams of retaining the cup alive.
Brenda Tabe was back in the goals once again in the 17th minute, and Town carried a one-goal advantage into the half-time break.
Katie Lawlee drew the hosts level at the start of the second period, but the tie was settled by a stunning Kelly-Anne Brown free-kick to send Athlone on their way.
Galway struck a significant blow in the battle for third place in the SSE Airtricity Women's Premier Division as they earned a 3-1 home win over Peamount United.
United remain six points off second-placed Shelbourne, but they have two games in hand, and this win will give them plenty of confidence.
Julie-Ann Russell sent them on their way with a first-half double, the first after some fine footwork to wrong-foot goalkeeper Niamh Reid-Burke before she volleyed beautifully into the top corner on the half-hour mark.
Emma Doherty secured the points with a close-range header early in the second half before Peamount captain Karen Duggan grabbed a consolation strike in the final moments.
Disclaimer: The copyright of this article belongs to the original author. Reposting this article is solely for the purpose of information dissemination and does not constitute any investment advice. If there is any infringement, please contact us immediately. We will make corrections or deletions as necessary. Thank you.
