First-half blitz sees Bohs through to Cup semi-final

Bohemians secured their place in the semi-final of the Evoke.ie FAI Women's Cup with an emphatic 3-1 win over Sligo Rovers in the Dalymount sunshine.

A first half blitz from the hosts in which Abbie Brophy, Erica Burke and a Sarah Kiernan own goal proved enough for the Gypsies to progress with Lauren Boles replying in the second half to give her side a glimmer of hope.

Both teams had been in good form going into the massive clash, the hosts having lost just once in their last six, whilst the visitors were fresh from an incredible 3-2 come-from-behind home win against reigning champions Shelbourne.

It was the home side that came flying out of the traps in front of a busy Jodi Stand.

Abbie Brophy continued her excellent recent form, with some quality crosses from the right hand side and linking up well with striker Aoife Robinson.

With just nine minutes gone this avenue almost paid dividends as Brophy showed her opposite number, Helen Monaghan, a clean pair of heels clipping a delightful ball onto the head of Aoife Robinson - fresh from her brace in last week's 3-1 win at home to Cork City - but the striker couldn't get enough purchase on the header.

Minutes later Niamh Prior, also on the scoresheet last week, went close to finding the top corner with a beautifully whipped free kick from the right hand side of the box.

The Bohs' pressure finally told with a quarter of an hour played, and it was player-of-the-match Brophy who got the goal her performance deserved.

Having been released by a defence splitting pass from Robinson, the pacey Brophy showed tremendous composure to slot the ball past the onrushing Amy Mahon.

GOAL ⚽️ | Bohemians 1-0 Sligo Rovers Abbie Brophy is flying! A great goal from the Bohs winger to put her side ahead