WNL Report: Cork City WFC 0 - 1 Peamount United

Cork City fell to a defeat in an insipid game against Peamount United as a sucker-punch goal from Lauren Kelly sealed the points for the visitors.

The game opened in a scrappy fashion as both sides, depleted by injuries, tried to settle in. Kelly had the first chance when her effort whistled just wide after a slight deflection.

It wasn’t long before City had their own chance when Ciara Desmond was set through with a ball over the top. Brooke Dunne raced out and Desmond hit a low shot past her but it trickled just wide.

Lauren Murphy then nearly set Lauren Homan away with a superb through ball but a last ditch tackle from Rachel Doyle prevented a one-on- one opportunity.

Maggie Duncliffe was lucky to not see red later for a tugback on Kelly after being set away down the left but the City centre-half was given a booking for her troubles. Desmond then was almost set free by Homan with a great ball over the defence but Dunne was able to clear after the ball ricocheted off Doyle.

After a more exciting finish to the first half, the second half slightly flatlined for the first 20 minutes as both sides readjusted to one another and cagey stalemate emerged. Clare Kinsella first saw a tame effort gathered by Trish Fennelly before Kelly cut in from the right and saw her effort trickle just wide.

Tara O’Gorman saw an effort sail over after a cross from Kate O’Donovan late on as the game looked to be petered out for a draw. The Leesiders weren’t to gain a point however, as in the 87^th minute – Peamount struck for what proved to be the decisive goal.

Lucy McCantan charged through after a poor kick out from Fennelly and beat Barbara O’Connell for pace before laying the ball into the path of the onrushing Kelly who tapped into an empty net.

Ciara Desmond then prevented a certain goal, winning the ball back from Kinsella after a Barbara O’Connell miscue as City were in danger of conceding again as they pilled forward loking for an equaliser.

Daniella Burke was set free by Laura Lynch late on but her shot while cutting in from the left was easily gathered by Dunne.

Cork City: Trish Fennelly; Tara O’Gorman, Nathalie O’Brien, Barbara O’Connell, Maggie Duncliffe, Ciara McNamara; Lauren Murphy (Kate O’Donovan 57), Zoe Murphy (Laura Lynch, 69), Ciara Desmond, Lauren Homan; Roísín O’Connell, (Danielle Burke 83).

Subs not used: Megan Carroll, Angie Carry, Amy O’Reilly, Sophie Hurley.

Peamount United: Brooke Dunne; Lauren O’Callaghan, Rachel Doyle, Louise Corrigan, Lauren Kealy; Lucy McCartan, Eimear Lafferty (Isobel Finnegan, 45), Niamh Farrelly, Lauren Kelly, Clare Kinsella; Sarah McKetty

Subs not used: Nadishn McAloon, Emma Donohue, Michelle Dunne, Nicole Plunkett

Referee: Jason Mannix.