WNL Report: Galway WFC 3 - 0 Cork City WFC

A disappointing result for Cork City Women’s in their first away game of the season, but management will be able to take away plenty of positives from a performance that deserved better than the result suggests.

Frank Kelleher made a number of changes from the side that lost to Shelbourne with debuts for Limerick pair Tara Mannix and Danielle Sheehy, while Tara O’Gorman (pictured), Megan Kelleher and Amy O’Reilly all made their first appearances of the season.

It was Cork who started the brightest with Danielle Sheehy winning the ball from the Galway centre back but her shot failed to trouble Tina Hughes in the Galway goal.

Galway’s set pieces were causing headaches for the City rear-guard and in the 12th minute they took the lead when Lynsey McKey curled a corner straight into the top corner.  Galway limited City to chances from the edge of the area with Shannon Carson, Tara Mannix and Saoirse Noonan all having attempts none of which caused Tina Hughes too many problems.

Amy O’Reilly had to leave the pitch in the 39th minute having been injured during a goalmouth scramble, a blow for O’Reilly who was making only her second start at Women’s National League level and had been doing really well keeping Galway at bay on a number of occasions. Maggie Duncliffe stepped up to the plate and replaced O’Reilly.

Some good passages of play involving O’Gorman and Katie McCarthy (pictured) followed but City weren’t able to make the pressure count and went in at half time 1.0 down.

City again started the second half brightly, Danielle Sheehy on her debut caused Galway headaches all evening, her astounding work rate coupled with good link up play between herself and Noonan proved what a shrewd signing she could prove to be as the season continues. She fed Noonan who turned beautifully but dragged her shot wide.

Galway made City pay in the 54th minute for their lack of conviction in the final third when McKey fed the tireless Meadhbh DeBurca and Duncliffe could do nothing to prevent her shot which flew into the top corner.

City continued to press but the Galway back 4 stood firm and kept the goal scoring opportunities to a minimum. A Marie Curtin free kick in the 71st minute was met but Sheehy but Hughes was on hand the push the header onto the crossbar. Galway got their third goal 3 minutes later, Shauna Fox burst forward from left back to hit a great strike from distance past a helpless Duncliffe.

Katie McCarthy will feel she should have pulled one back for City late on when Hughes parried an effort from Danielle Burke into her path but she was unable to convert.

City will look forward to next week with a local away trip to Cork League side Douglas Hall in the FAI Cup next Sunday at 2pm.

Cork City Women’s: Amy O Reilly, Tara Mannix, Marie Curtin ©, Ciara McNamara, Nathalie O’Brien, Tara O’Gorman, Megan Kelleher, Saoirse Noonan, Katie McCarthy, Shannon Carson

Subs:  Maggie Duncliffe for O’Reilly (39), Lauren Homan for Carson (58), Danielle Burke for Kelleher (78). Not used: Kate O Donovan