Women's National League Shield Phase 1 Round-up

The Women’s National League Shield kicked off last weekend with four games down for decision, in Group A WNL Champions Wexford Youths hosting UCD Waves, while newcomers Kilkenny United WFC travelled to Bishopstown to play Cork City Women. In Group B Galway WFC hosted newly formed Shelbourne ladies, while Peamount United and Castlebar Celtic played under the lights at Greenogue.

Group A

Wexford Youths 3-1 UCD Waves

Wexford Youths began their Shield campaign in perfect fashion when they secured a 3-1 victory at Ferrycarrig Park, Willie Doyle’s side were looking for a response having failed to qualify for the last 32 of the UEFA Women’s Champions League and his side got a dream start after Linda Douglas tapped in an Amy Frawley cross.

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The home side doubled their lead with fifteen minute remaining when substitute Claire O’Riordan popped up off the subs bench to open her account for the season. Minutes later the Limerick native doubled her tally after she latched on to a Douglas cross to fire home Youths third goal.

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Despite trailing by three goals Waves new signing Eleanor Ryan Doyle, snatched a late consolation goal after her shot from outside the box deceived Youths keeper Mary Rose Kelly before finding its way into the net.

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Cork City WFC 4-0 Kilkenny United WFC

On Sunday afternoon at Bishopstown, Cork City Women ensure they got their Shield campaign off to a dream start, after the Leesiders suffered an early exit in Continental Tyres FAI Cup at the hands of non-league Shelbourne u18 last weekend.

Stacey Paul opened the scoring for the home side after just six minutes, when her free-kick sailed just under Amy Jordan’s crossbar leaving the keeper with no chance of reaching the ball.

On the half hour mark, Cork doubled their advantage after making the constant pressure count when Ciara Desmond disposed the Kilkenny Olivia Nolan before rifling a shot into the top corner from the edge of the box.

As half-time approached Cork added a third goal to their unassailable lead, when debutant Saoirse Noonan like Desmond robbed possession from the Kilkenny defence and released an unstoppable shot Past Jordan.

With Seven minutes remaining in Bishopstown, Desmond popped up to grab her second of the game, after substitute Tara O’Gorman slide a ball through to Desmond, who beat the full-back before placing her effort into the top corner - to ensure City record a first victory since March 2012.

Group B

Galway WFC 1-1 Shelbourne Ladies

On Saturday afternoon at Eamonn Deacy Park, Galway WFC looked to build on the momentum they created by defeating St Catherines in the First Round of the Continental Tyres FAI Cup, when they hosted newly formed Shelbourne Ladies on Saturday afternoon.

In a highly exciting game, it was Galway who took the lead after Lynsey McKey slotted home when goalkeeper Niamh Reid Bourke failed to hold a free-kick from Lisa Casserly.

When the side emerged from the half-time break, Shelbourne grabbed an equaliser soon after, when newly appointed Captain Pearl Slattery poked home past Galway keeper Tina Hughes after a the skipper latched onto a cross from the left wing.

Despite only two goals in the Group B clash, both Hughes and Reid-Bourke were forced to make some fantastic saves to ensure their respective side left Eamonn Deacy Park with a share of the spoils

Peamount United 4-2 Castlebar Celtic

A six goal thriller was on offer for the paying customers at Greenogue on Saturday evening as Peamount United recorded a first victory in three over Castlebar Celtic.

A brace of first-half goals from Aoife Moloney, her first arriving on the 27th minute, before the forward fired home on half-time to double her side’s lead. With little over twenty minutes remaining, Moloney completed her hat trick to ensure a new look Peas side got off to winning ways.

Despite three unanswered goals from Peamount, Castlebar were not about to lie down and a brilliant free-kick with fifteen minute remaining from Dahannah Feeney gave the Mayo side an outside chance of mounting a comeback, however Peamount skipper had Claire Kinsella had other ideas about surrendering a huge lead and she added her side’s fourth goal just two minutes after.

As the clock continued to count down, Celtic grabbed a late consolation goal after Feeney stepped up again and fired home her second free-kick of the game.