Benfica W.S.C.

Benfica Women's Soccer Club, previously known as Benfica L.F.C. and Mitsubishi Benfica, is an Irish association football club based in Waterford. Founded in 1965, Benfica are one of the oldest women's football clubs in the Republic of Ireland. During the 1970s, 1980s and early 1990s they were also one of Ireland's leading women's clubs. They were founder members of the Ladies League of Ireland, played in the Dublin Women's Soccer League and were FAI Women's Cup finalists on at least five occasions.

Benfica W.S.C.
Full nameBenfica Women's Soccer Club
Founded1965
GroundWaterford Regional Sports Centre
LeagueLadies League of Ireland
Dublin Women's Soccer League
Munster Ladies League
Waterford District Girls League
Wexford and District League
Cork Ladies League

History

Early years

Benfica was formed in 1965 by Joey O'Callaghan and Sean Cuddihy.[1] They were originally formed to enter a mixed factory five-a-side football competition and were named after S.L. Benfica, the club of Eusébio, the 1965 European Footballer of the Year, who was the founding members favourite player.[2]

Leagues

During their history Benfica have fielded teams in various women's county, provincial and national leagues. They began playing in the Waterford Ladies League.[3] In 1973 Benfica became founding members of the Ladies League of Ireland[4][5] In 1987 when the national league was revived Benfica were again members. Other members included Cork Rangers, Cork Celtic, Greenpark (Limerick) and Dublin Castle.[6][7][8] While playing in the Ladies League of Ireland during the 1980s, Benfica were sponsored by Mitsubishi.[9][10] However the revived Ladies League of Ireland lasted just three seasons and was abandoned in 1989. Benfica subsequently joined the Cork Ladies League.[11] During the early 1990s they played in the Munster Ladies League. During the early 2000s they fielded teams in both the Dublin Women's Soccer League[12][13] and the Wexford and District League.[2] They currently field teams in the Waterford District Girls League.[14]

FAI Women's Cup

During the 1980s and early 1990s, Benfica played in at least five FAI Women's Cup finals, winning the competition three times. After losing the 1986 final to Dublin Castle, Benfica won the cup for the first time when they defeated Boyne Rovers 3–2 in the 1987 final at Dalymount Park.[15][16][17] In the 1989 final they defeated Rathfarnham United 4–2 after extra time at The Farm. The Benfica team included Republic of Ireland internationals Eithne Hennessy, Siobhan Furlong, Yvonne Lyons and Therese Leahy.[18] In the 1992 final they lost after a penalty shootout to Welsox at Dalymount Park.[19] Benfica won the cup for the third time in 1993 in controversial circumstances. College Corinthians originally defeated Benfica 1–0 in the final.[20] However a replay was held after it was discovered that Corinthians had fielded two unregistered players.[21] In the replay, a fifteen year old Ciara Grant scored twice as Benfica won 3–0 at Kilcohan Park.[22][23]

Grounds

Benfica have played their home games at various grounds throughout Waterford. During the 1970s they played at Johnville Ground, St. John's Park.[24] During the 1980s they played at Ozier Park, Poleberry.[10] They have also played at Kilcohan Park and the Waterford Regional Sports Centre.

Notable former players

Republic of Ireland women's internationals
  • Betty Maher
  • Mary O'Callaghan
  • Mary Reid
  • Annette Doyle

Source:[25][26][9][21]

Honours

Source:[15][16][17][18][22][23][27]

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References
  1. "Benfica – 20 Years Old". Munster Express. 3 May 1985. p. 20.
  2. "Benfica Win Their First League Title". foot.ie. Retrieved 24 January 2016.
  3. "Benfica – 20 Years Old". Munster Express. 3 May 1985. p. 20.
  4. "League of Ireland for Kilkenny". Kilkenny People. 16 February 1973. p. 15.
  5. "Ladies Soccer". Munster Express. 6 July 1973. p. 19.
  6. "League of Ireland for Mitsubishi Benfica". Munster Express. 13 March 1987. p. 26.
  7. "Benfica Share The Points". Munster Express. 29 April 1988. p. 12.
  8. "Ladies Soccer". Irish Independent. 12 June 1987. p. 10.
  9. "Benfica Begin League Campaign". The Munster Express. 15 April 1988. p. 26.
  10. "Benfica L.F.C.". The Munster Express. 10 April 1987. p. 22.
  11. "Cup Final Showdown for Benfica". Munster Express. 8 September 1989. p. 18.
  12. "Ireland (Women) 2005". Rec.Sport.Soccer Statistics Foundation. Retrieved 24 February 2016.
  13. "Ireland (Women) 2006". Rec.Sport.Soccer Statistics Foundation. Retrieved 24 February 2016.
  14. "Waterford District Girls League – Clubs". weebly.com. Retrieved 24 January 2016.
  15. "Women's squad is named". The Irish Times. 21 August 1986. p. 16.
  16. "Benefica [sic] take first trophy". The Irish Times. 21 September 1987. p. 4. Benefica made amends for their defeat last year when they won the LFAI Cup for the first time...
  17. "Boyne Beaten". The Irish Press. 21 September 1987. p. 15.
  18. "Benfica Champions". Munster Express. 8 September 1989. p. 20.
  19. "L.F.A.I. Cup final showdown for Benfica". The Munster Express. 24 September 1993. p. 9.
  20. "Soccer scoreboard". Irish Independent. 27 September 1993. p. 26.
  21. "Festival of football at Kilcohan Park". The Munster Express. 19 November 1993. p. 21.
  22. "Youngsters Show The Way". The Munster Express. 26 November 1993. p. 21.
  23. "untitled report". Irish Press. 22 November 1993. p. 36.
  24. "Ladies Soccer". Munster Express. 6 July 1973. p. 19.
  25. "Benfica – 20 Years Old". Munster Express. 3 May 1985. p. 20.
  26. "Ladies Soccer". Munster Express. 6 July 1973. p. 19.
  27. "Ireland – List of Women Cup Winners". Rec.Sport.Soccer Statistics Foundation. Retrieved 17 September 2011.
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