WNL Season Preview: Cork City Women

Manager: Niall O’Regan

Stadium: Bishopstown Stadium

Players in: Chelsea Noonan, Amy O’Reilly, Sophie Hurley, Lorna O’Connell, Ciara Desmond, Stacey Paul, Barbara O’Connell, Mary Barrett, Kate O’Donovan, Rebecca Walsh, Amy Quinn, Tara O’Gorman, Evelyn Daly, Megan O’Keeffe, Saoirse Noonan,

Players out: Vanessa Ogbonna

Extratime.ie Key player:Stacey Paul

The hard working central midfield player has returned to Cork City Women for a second spell and her ability in the middle of the park could be key for her side going forward, her ability to hold possession and pick a pass will help her side as they look to continue their recent development.

Extratime.ie One to watch: Ciara Desmond

Desmond a recent new summer recruit has shown she has the ability to a huge impact on the Women’s National League, the midfielder who can also play up front has shown she has great ability on the ball. Known as “Legs” Desmond, the midfielder has also shown she has the pace to trouble some of the country’s top defenders.

How they did last season:

League: Seventh

Women’s FAI Cup: First round

League Cup: Quarter-final

What to expect this season:

After a change in management over the summer, along with the end of the divide within Cork with some of the county’s top players choosing to make the step up to the Women’s National League, football in Cork is on the rise. After their first victory since 2013 last month, Niall O’Regan's side will be looking to push on and if they can get a run of positive results they could challenge for a top four finish.

First game: Kilkenny United WFC (A) 11/10/15