WNL Report: Cork Women 0 - 3 DLR Waves
Credit:
Cork Women’s FC again dropped points against a well-organised and disciplined DLR Waves team who had to wait until the second half for their superiority to show. The Leeside club has not enjoyed the best of seasons this term but can take positives from a spirited and organised showing.
The game started slowly on a day of harsh winds blowing through the Bishopstown pitch with both sides feeling each other out and looking for weaknesses in the early exchanges. DLR had an early shot from Kim Turner who scooped the ball just wide. The home side then forced a corner through Amy Quinn who fizzed a ball across the goal from the resulting kick but no Cork Women’s player could connect.
The home side then had a let off as a mishit clearance from Quinn allowed Sylvia Gee to win the ball ahead of Megan Carroll and power into the box but her shot dragged agonisingly wide of the target. The visitors then saw a long-range effort from Turner palmed out of play by Trish Fennelly, with Brien being unlucky from to see her header from the corner fly just over. Emer Gilroy then bullied her way through the DLR Defence and was unlucky to see her powerful effort blocked spinning up into the grateful arms of Kilkenny.
Another let-off was to come from the Leesiders in the 33rd minute as Emma Bryne twisted and turned past Jess Lawton but no DLR player could connect with her powerfully hit ball across the face of goal. While the game was still even in terms of tempo, only one side were creating chances as Angie Carry earned a yellow card by flooring Orlagh Nolan as she was held up by Eleanor Lucey on the edge of the box. Sylvia Gee hit the resulting free-kick off the stanchion of the goal posts. A further set-back was to befall the home side before the break as Megan Carroll crumpled under a Turner challenge and had to be replaced by Chloe Ahern. However, the home defence was able to survive until the half-time whistle and would have been pleased going in at the break.
The parity was only to last seven minutes into the second half however, as a Michelle Dunne corner kick was headed in by an in-rushing Niamh Connolly. Trish Fennelly then had a nervous moment after a mix-up with Lucey almost allowed Sharon Cullen to nip in and score but the defender and keeper combined to just about get the ball away. DLR would not have to wait much longer for a second though as the same Dunne and Connolly combination allowed them to double their lead on the 61 minute mark with an identikit goal.
This sparked off a mini-revival from Cork Women’s FC, with first Natalie Coughlan powering through the centre of the park and seeing her shot cleared for a corner before Angie Carry was tugged to the ground inside the box – no penalty from the referee who instead signalled a free out. An Eimear Knightly ball chipped through to Coughlan was again blocked down into the keeper Avril Kilkelly’s hands a few minutes later.
There would be no fightback however as DLR added a third on the 75 minute mark. First Turner and Scales had shots saved by Fennelly, but the keeper was powerless to keep out the third attempt from Cullen. A well-deserved goal for the DLR forward who had worked tirelessly all day.
Next up for the Leesiders is a trip to Tallaght stadium on the 23rd March to face Shamrock Rovers, before their final home game of the season against Wexford on April 13th.
Cork Women’s F.C. – Trish Fennelly, Jess Lawton, Angie carry, Eleanor Lucey, Megan Carroll (Chloe Aherne, 40), Amy Quinn, Eimear Knightly, Rachel Whelan, Natalie Coughlan, Rebecca Horgan, Emer Gilroy
DLR Waves’s F.C. – Avril Kilkelly, Mags Doyle (Niamh Moran, 68), Zara Dillon, Niamh Connolly, Alison Brien, Sylvia Gee, Emma Byrne, Michelle Dunne (Niamh Burns, 62), Orlagh Nolan (Danni Scales, 68), Sharon Cullen, Kim Turner
Referee – Christine Buckley
