WNL Report: Peamount United 3 - 4 Cork City Women

Cork City Women fought back from a two goal deficit at half time to claim their first league victory in Dublin since March 2013, when the then Cork Women’s FC defeated DLR Waves 2-1.

In a game that pitted fifth versus sixth it was the home side who struck first when skipper Clare Kinsella raced onto a through ball from Roma McLaughlin before firing low past Trish Fennelly in the Cork goal.

Despite taking the lead inside the opening ten minutes, Peamount’s lead was shortlived as five minutes later Angie Carry fired home for the visitors. A free-kick from Lauren Murphy was not cleared correctly before Carry fired home from close range.

The hosts attempted to respond to losing their lead and moments later had an opportunity after a quick free-kick from Rachel Doyle found McLaughlin, but her delivery was missed by Danielle Murray at the far post.

Less than 60 seconds later, however, the Peas did restore their lead and McLaughlin and Doyle were again involved. This time a long free-kick from Doyle found McLaughlin, whose shot appeared to be going into the net until Kinsella smashed the ball home on the line to grab her second goal.

As the home side continued to push forward, Murray will feel she should have done better with an effort on goal after a cross from Kinsella picked out the winger, but her tame effort was easily gathered by Fennelly.

As half-time fast approached, Peamount grabbed a third goal when Kinsella completed her hat-trick. A corner from the left from Murray led to a mix-up in the visitors defence and the forward nipped in to power home her seventh goal in three games.

When the sides emerged from the break, the hosts had an instant chance when a corner from Murray picked out Kinsella at the back post, but she could only direct her free header wide from an acute angle.

As the visitors looked for a way back into the game, Desmond forced a good save from Dunne in the host goal, and from the resulting corner Cork pulled a goal back when Maggie Duncliffe’s corner appeared to go straight into the net.

With the game back in the melting pot and City trailing by just a single goal, Zoe Murphy was the next Cork player to try her luck, but her effort from outside the box went the wrong side of the post.

Despite Cork having the impetus in the second-half, they almost found themselves two goals behind with 15 minutes remaining. Lucy McCartan first forced a good save from Fennelly before Kinsella’s rebound was almost put into her own goal by Nathalie O’Brien.

Minutes later, the hosts completed their comeback when Peamount’s Doyle made a rash challenge inside the penalty area, allowing Lauren Murphy to complete the comeback from 12 yards.

After drawing level for the second time, just three minutes later the visitors would score what proved to be the crucial goal when Desmond latched onto a cross from Roisin O’Connell before heading past Dunne in the host goal to give her side the lead.

As injury time fast approached, Peamount’s Murray will feel she should have equalised after she fired wide from inside the box.

Deep into injury time, Murray was again involved when the winger appeared to tangle with the defender before going down inside the penalty, however, the referee waved play to the annoyance of the home supporters.

Peamount United: Brooke Dunne (GK): Lucy McCartan, Louise Corrigan (Michelle Dunne HT), Isobelle Finnegan, Rachel Doyle: Danielle Murray, Aoife Moloney (Nicky Plunkett 84), Emma Byrne, Roma McLaughlin, Sarah McKevitt (Emma Donohue 27): Clare Kinsella.

Subs Not used: Chloe Murphy.

Booked: Finnegan (22), Doyle (75).

Cork City Women: Trish Fennelly (GK): Nathalie O’Brien (Lorna O’Connell 76), Ciara McNamara, Zoe Murphy, Lauren Murphy: Roisin O’Connell, Angie Carry (Barbara O’Connell HT), Megan Kelleher, Evelyn Daly, Ciara Desmond: Maggie Duncliffe.

Subs Not Used: Amy O’Reilly (GK), Megan Carroll, Katie McCarthy, Kate O’Donovan.

Booked: Carry (36).

Attendance: 75 (estimate).

Extratime.ie Player of the Match: Clare Kinsella (Peamount United).