Liverpool and Ireland striker Leanne Kiernan in action against Chelsea's Millie Bright. Alamy Stock Photo

Heartbreak for Liverpool's Irish crew as 94th-minute winner sends Chelsea into FA Cup final

Chelsea’s quadruple bid rolls on after defeat for injured Leanne Kiernan, Niamh Fahey and Amber Whiteley.

LAST UPDATE | 12 Apr 2025

AGGIE BEEVER-JONES SCORED a stoppage-time winner as Chelsea booked their spot in the Women’s FA Cup final by beating Liverpool 2-1.

Liverpool took the lead against the run of play through Olivia Smith’s low finish, but Erin Cuthbert levelled on the stroke of half-time for the hosts.

Chelsea went close after the break through Beever-Jones and Johanna Rytting Kaneryd before the Reds had an opportunity when Taylor Hinds’ dipping strike bounced off the crossbar in the final moments.

With the game seemingly destined for extra time, Beever-Jones’ late header secured Chelsea’s place in next month’s Wembley final and kept the team’s quadruple hopes alive.

Adobe Women's FA Cup / YouTube

It was heartbreak, meanwhile, for Liverpool’s Irish contingent. Ireland assistant coach Amber Whiteley is interim manager of the Reds, while Leanne Kiernan and Niamh Fahey are among the players.

Kiernan started but came off injured just after the hour mark, while captain Fahey was an unused substitute. Whitely told reporters afterwards a “dead leg” was suspected for the Cavan forward, who was involved in a collision with Lucy Bronze.

Chelsea will face holders Manchester United or Manchester City in the decider, with both sides facing off tomorrow. Ireland international Aoife Mannion plays her club football for United, while Tara O’Hanlon and Eve O’Carroll are on the books of City.

Meanwhile in Belgium, Amber Barrett continued her fine form with two goals and an assist as Standard Liège enjoyed a 3-0 play-off win at Oud-Heverlee Leuven.

Barrett scored twice for Ireland as she won her 50th and 51st international caps against Greece in recent days, and the Donegal striker picked up where she left off at club level this afternoon, boosting her side’s league title hopes:

- Additional reporting from Emma Duffy

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