WFAI Cup: Shelbourne U18 -v- Cork City Women FC

Shelbourne U18 host Cork City Women in the first round of the Continental Tyres FAI Cup at Tolka Park on Saturday. Kick-off 2pm.

Shelbourne U18

Shelbourne head into Saturday’s first round clash with Cork City Women after a summer of change which saw the Dublin club merge with Raheny United. Despite the merger Shelbourne under 18s earned the right to take their place in the first round of the FAI Cup after they defeated Douglas Hall of Cork in the quarter-final of the Intermediate Cup last month.

With Saturday’s Cup game being a winner takes all, Shelbourne goalkeeper Nadine Ryan knows it will be a tough game, but she is aware the game could be a prime opportunity to showcase her talent against a strong opposition with the start of the Women’s National League just a week away.

“Cork is a very good side, we are expecting a tough game ahead of us, it's going to be a good test for us both physically and technically. If I were to be called up I would grab the opportunity with both hands, I will be ready for when the time to step up comes my way without a doubt.”

When asked how the merger with Raheny has affected Shelbourne, Nadine is quick to point out that the move has increased the standards in training and she has seen the benefits since the beginning of pre-season.

“The joining of the two clubs has definitely pushed on our side, the training that has been brought in is like nothing we had before, everything has been upped, the intensity in training has kept everyone on their toes, pushing us all on to be the best we can.”

Cork City Women

Cork like Shelbourne are a club in transition and the Leesiders will be using Saturday’s FAI Cup game to build momentum ahead of the Women’s National League Shield, when they host Kilkenny United on Sunday week.

Despite making wholesale changes over the summer with both playing Staff and management, City will travel to Dublin with renewed confidence and goalkeeper Trish Fennelly cannot wait get started on Saturday.

“We are definitely looking forward to getting games in,” she told Extratime.ie.

“The last 6 weeks we have learned a lot as a group and we are very united as a team. We have done the hard work, now it is up to us as a team to portray that on the field. There is a competition for all places on the team at the moment, but even though we are competing for places we are still pushing each other to be the best we can. This will only benefit us at the end of the day.”

City head into Saturday’s cup game as overwhelming favourites, the Leesiders are not taking their opponents lightly and they will be quick to use the knowledge their recent signings from Douglas Hall to give them input on their opponents.

“We know a bit about them as a few of the girls who have signed for us from Douglas Hall played them in a cup game a few weeks ago. We know this will be a tough game and we’ll have to go out there and work hard to get a win. We know they are a young side, but they will still have experience. We are more than ready for this game and the squad is looking forward to it.”

Match Stats

Both sides have failed to win an FAI Cup game in the previous two seasons, Shelbourne losing to UCD waves last year, while Cork City Women were defeated by Wexford Youths.

Cork have lost to a non-league side in recent seasons when Wilton United defeated them 3-0 in 2013.