23 July 2017
By Bryan Smyth
bryan@TheCork.ie
Cork City WFC 5 Galway WFC 3
Shine (40′, 75′) , Daly (42′, 85′), Duncliffe (62′) – Brennan (44′), Casserly (70′) McKey (95′)
Two goals from Clare Shine and Evelyn Daly along with a goal from Maggie Duncliffe gave Cork City WFC all three points last Saturday as they beat Galway WFC 5-3 at a sunny Bishopstown in the Continental Tyre’s Women’s National League.
File photo of Clare Shine (Right). Photographer: Patrick Healy
Galway began the game on the front foot with an early corner requiring City goalkeeper Amanda Budden to punch clear. City had opportunities from Saoirse Noonan and Danielle Burke but Galway’s defence managed to block the chances before they could really pose a threat. City’s first real shot came via Clare Shine after she played a one-two with Katie McCarthy but her shot from the edge of the box went over the crossbar.
Galway had a strong period of dominance midway through the first half as they put pressure on the City defence, in the 28th minute Lisa Casserly had an effort from distance which Budden gathered with ease and on the 32nd Casserly found herself unmarked on the edge of the area but her shot went wide of Budden’s goal. Grainne Barrett forced Budden into a save through a free kick on the edge of the area.
City had a chance in the 37th minute, a Stacey Paul free kick found its way to Maggie Duncliffe whose effort from distance took a deflection and was gathered by Tina Hughes. City took the lead on the 40th minute, an Evelyn Daly effort from outside the box hit the post, Clare Shine was quickest to react and tucked away the rebound to make it 1-0 to City.
City doubled their lead on the 42nd minute, Evelyn Daly playing her last match for Cork City Women’s FC before departing for the United States scored a spectacular strike from 30 yards which gave Galway keeper Hughes no chance. Galway managed to get back into the game before half time as Aoife Brennan scored to make it 2-1 at half time.
City brought on Nathalie O’Brien for Ann Lehman for the second half. Galway trying to get back into the game had an effort early in the second half as Lisa Casserly had an effort well saved by Budden. Both sides had half chances as the game went from end to end but rarely tested either goalkeeper. Saoirse Noonan set up Katie McCarthy for a shot which Tina Hughes did well to save while at the other end Amanda Budden made a spectacular save to keep out a Galway break.
City restored their two goal on the hour mark, Maggie Duncliffe took a free kick from distance and sent it straight into the roof of the net to make it 3-1. Ciara Desmond replaced Tara O’Gorman and almost got on the scoresheet quickly as Maggie Duncliffe found her on the right but her shot was well saved by Hughes.
Galway got back into the game on the 70th minute as Casserly took advantage of a City defensive mix-up to make it 3-2. City however responded quickly and on the 75th minute, Stacey Paul won the ball in midfield and found Clare Shine who finished well from close range to make it 4-2. Kate O’Donovan replaced Stacey Paul for the final minutes for the game.
City wrapped up the three points in the 85th minute when Ciara Desmond headed a Danielle Burke cross field ball to Evelyn Daly who finished well to make it 5-2. Galway managed a consolation goal in injury time as Lynsey McKey scored a great free kick from the left of the penalty area and the game finished 5-3.
City’s next game is a trip to Ferrycarrig Park to play Wexford Youths WFC next Saturday 29th of
July with a 7.30 kick off
Cork City WFC: Amanda Budden, Ann Lehman (Nathalie O’Brien 45′), Danielle Burke, Ciara McNamara, Maggie Duncliffe, Stacey Paul (Kate O’Donovan 80′), Katie McCarthy, Evelyn Daly, Tara O’Gorman (Ciara Desmond 65′) Saoirse Noonan, Clare Shine Unused Substitutes: Angie Carry, Courtney O’Keeffe
Galway WFC: Tina Hughes, Jenny Byrne, Keara Cormican, Shauna Fox, Grainne Barrett, Lisa Casserly, Sadbh Doyle, Meabh De Burca, Aislinn Meaney, Aoife Brennan, Lynsey McKey Substitutes: Tessa Mullins, Louise Creaven, Therese Hartley, Chloe Singleton, Lucia Lobato, Rachel Baynes, Megan Carroll
