WFAI Cup: Shelbourne Ladies U18 3 - 2 Cork City Women's FC

Shelbourne U18’s advanced to the quarter-final of the Continental Tyres FAI Cup after recovering from a goal down twice to defeat Cork City Women by three goals to two at Tolka Park on Saturday afternoon.

In a game that was expected to see the visiting side progress comfortably, Shelbourne started the brightest and Sophie Watters had the game’s first chance - from a Sinead O’Farrelly free-kick, but the winger failed to test Trish Fennelly in the Cork goal.

After a slow start, Cork gradually grew into the game, but despite their good play they could not test Nadine Ryan in the Shelbourne goal, with Evelyn Daly firing over from the edge of the penalty area.

Despite the Cork attempting to raise their intensity, the home side never looked overwrought and they continued to press forward with every opportunity - first Lisa Murphy’s shot from distance was easily gathered by Fennelly before both Megan Lynch and O’Farrelly had effort go just wide.

Ciara Desmond then had two great opportunities to give Cork the lead, first her tame effort was easily gathered by Ryan and moments later, her low shot with the outside of her left foot beat the Shels keeper, but failed to beat the goal frame.

As the side continued to trade opportunities, Fennelly treated the supporters in the stands to some fantastic acrobatics after Caolan Lynch Carroll dispossessed Desmond inside the Cork half before rifling an effort on goal from 25 yards.

Despite the home side having the majority of the opportunities, it was the away side who struck first after Mary Barrett headed home from a Stacey Paul corner.

The Leesiders lead, however, lasted just five minutes after a cross from the left found Murphy, who turned and fired home to send the home fans into hysterics. As half-time approached, Watters has a great opportunity to send Shelbourne into the break with the lead, but her header from close range cannoned off the crossbar before Fennelly made a brilliant save from the rebound.

When the sides emerged from the dressing rooms, Shelbourne was dealt a huge blow when the referee adjudged Ryan in the Shelbourne goal to have fouled Desmond in the penalty area - Cork’s Paul’s duly dispatched the spot kick despite the best efforts of Ryan.

With the home side being forced to chase the game for a second time, Watters will feel she should have done better after dispossessing Megan Carroll inside the Cork half, but the Ireland under 19 international failed to trouble the goal.

As the game approached the hour mark Shels grabbed an equaliser after Murphy fired home from close range, after Fennelly failed to control possession under pressure from the forward.

After equalising for a second time, the home side had a cup upset insight and Watters sent them into the lead for the first time after she latched onto a cross field ball before racing towards goal and finished low past Fennelly.

With the clock continuing to tick away, Cork had two great opportunities to get themselves level, first Megan O’Keeffe knocked the ball down to Desmond, but her effort sailed harmlessly wide - O’Keeffe was again involved in City’s next effort, but like Desmond she failed to trouble Ryan.

Deep into injury time, Murphy had an opportunity to put the gloss on a brilliant win for Shelbourne after she latched onto a Watters cross, but her volley from the penalty spot failed to trouble the Cork goal.

Shelbourne U18: Nadine Ryan, Sinead O’Farrelly, Aisling Dunbar, Erica Byrne, Jessica Corr (Carla Moran 90), Sophie Watters, Shianne Swarres (Emma Boyle 83), Cliona Owens (Sarah O’Donoghue 73), Lisa Murphy, Megan Lynch, Caolan Lynch Carroll

Subs Not Used: Leanne Payne, Joan Daly, Shauna O’Neill, Karley Leavy

Booked: Lynch (26), Ryan (46), O’Donoghue (90+2)

Cork City Women: Trish Fennelly, Megan Carroll, Mary Barrett (Angie Carry 74), Rebecca Walsh (Nathalie O’Brien HT), Ciara McNamara, Ciara Desmond, Katie McCarty (Kate O’Donovan HT), Barbara O’Connell, Stacey Paul, Megan O’Keeffe, Evelyn Daly

Subs Not Used: Chelsea Noonan, Amy O’Reilly

Booked: Walsh (32), Carroll (82)

Match Referee: Natasha Valentini

Attendance: 150 (Estimate)

Extratime Player of the Match: Lisa Murphy (Shelbourne U18)