Cup drama to the very end for our Women's Team today as the overcame Mountmellick A on Penalties in an away Combined Counties Cup Quarter Final. We had to do some rejigging of personnel and positions with just 11 players travelling due to 3 girls preparing for Leaving Cert Orals and Clodagh Daly away on International Duty, but nevertheless Ballymackey started the game strongly and took the lead with a great Allison McDonnell strike from just inside the right hand side of the box. Moutmellick equalised from a corner but Darra Bourke scored with an audacious lob of the Home Goalkeeper from 35 yards just before half time to give the girls the lead again. Mountmellick played some super football in the second half keeping the ball on the ground playing into the wind and pushed strong for an equaliser as the half progressed. Ballymackey looked to have done enough but 2 minutes into injury time Mountmellick grabbed a dramatic late late equaliser to take the game to extra time. Ballymackey made a great start to ET taking back the initiative in the game and took the lead again with a fantastic strike by Alanna Morris from 30 yards that gave the Mountmellick Keeper no chance. With time just expired in the first period of extra time Mountmellick equalised for a third time and the game was very much in the melting pot in the final period of extra time with neither side prepared to settle for Penalties. Allison McDonnell came agonisingly close to a winner at the death but her effort rolled just wide of the right post. So penalties it was Leah McLoughney, Aoibhín Delaney and Darra Bourke hit the target for Ballymackey and Goalie Mollie Ryan was the hero stepping up to the occasion saving 2 penalties to give Ballymackey the win with a round of penalties to spare. Some great football at times by the girls and 3 excellent goals, but it was the girls character when the going was tough that won the day for Ballymackey. We had outstanding displays from Nicole Ryan and Allison McDonnell and our player of the match was 15 year old Darra Bourke who was asked to take on a big role in the centre of the field and delivered an all action performance and a fine goal. The girls are still going in 3 Cup and Shield Competitions after 5 knock out games and the will face Killeigh Rovers A away in the Cup Semi Final.