Kilbarry clash: Benfica's Linda Douglas heads clear against Eureka's Amanda O'Reilly. | Photos: Noel Browne
Eureka- Kells 2; Benfica (Waterford) 1
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Benfica failed to reach the final of the FAI Intermediate Cup when they lost out to Eureka-Kells from Co Meath in the blistering heat at the RSC on Sunday afternoon. They gave their all, especially when they fell 2-1 behind early in the second half but they came up against a powerful side who gave very little away at the back. In fairness the Kells team were a fast-moving outfit and they probably deserved to win but take nothing away from the effort put in by Benfica.
Eureka were the first side to attack and the Benfica goalkeeper Clodagh McGrath did well to hold a shot from Joanna Byrne after five minutes. Kelly Avein shold have put the visitors in front 3 minutes later but she headed wide in front of goal. Benfica’s Kelly Claydon of Benfica was just wide with a half volley in the 10th minute. Treasa Doorley came to the Waterford girls’ rescue on 19 minutes when she kicked the ball off the line with the goalkeeper beaten following a shot from Lisa Keenan.
Benfica striker Cherelle Khassel met a cross from Kelly Claydon shortly aferwards but she was inches off-target with a right-footed effort. Eureka-Kells were unlucky on 32 minutes when Lisa Keenan rattled the crossbar with a rocket from 25 yards. However they did take the lead through Louise McKeever after 35 minutes. McKeever found the roof of the net with a dipping volley from long range.
But Benfica equalised straight from the re-start. Lisa Dower finished off a sweeping move involving three players. She found the net from just inside the left side of the penalty area.
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