Raheny United 4 - 0 DLR Waves

Raheny United had the perfect start to the season, beating DLR Waves 4-0 on Sunday afternoon in Morton Stadium. 

It took the home side a while to get going, but once they did Raheny played with the kind of confidence that clearly marks them as strong contenders to retain their league title.

Caroline Thorpe scored the opener, and capped a terrific display with another goal in the second half, with the attacking duo of Katie McCabe and Noelle Murray also scoring.

DLR looked strong defensively for most of the opening half hour, with Mary Waldron's second minute miss from close range the only clear chance for the home side. Lauren Boles's scuffed early shot was the closest DLR got to a goal though.

The Waves were never really able to create chances, so Raheny were always on the attack. It wasn't a surprise, therefore, when Thorpe opened the scoring - the midfielder heading in at the near post on 29 minutes from a Rebecca Creagh corner.

Raheny came out for the second half with renewed confidence, and Katie McCabe scored within four minutes of the restart. Louise Kearney didn't clear a cross properly and let McCabe around her for a simple tap in. 

United were completely dominant from then on. Crosses were a consistent threat to the DLR defence, with Thorpe scoring her second with a header from a Katie McCabe cross on 71 minutes. 

Noelle Murray wrapped up the scoring in the third minute of added time at the end of the match - deftly slipping ball past Amy Corcoran after latching on to a through ball.

Raheny United: Niamh Reid Burke; Sinead O'Farrelly [Kate McKeever '85], Shauna Newman, Rachel Graham, Kerrie Ryan; Siobhan Killeen [Clare Shine '78], Rebecca Creagh, Mary Waldron [Joan Daly '81], Caroline Thorpe; Katie McCabe, Noelle Murray. 
Subs: Emma Merrigan, Niamh Walsh, Pearl Slattery.
Yellow Cards: None.

DLR Waves: Amy Corcoran; Zara Dillon [Niamh Connolly HT], Rachel Doyle, Niamh Barnes, Louise Kearney, Sylvia Gee, Michelle Dunne, Sharon Cullen, Aisling Byrne [Chelsey Spain '63], Lauren Boles [Margaret Doyle '78], Orlagh Nolan. 
Subs: Avril Brierley, Lauren Cavanagh.
Yellow Cards: Sylvia Gee.

Attendance: 100 (unofficial estimate)
Extratime.ie Player of the Match: Caroline Thorpe