Nathalie O'Brien: 'Next season we're coming for the league'

Nathalie O'Brien described Cork City's Women's FAI Cup win as “amazing” after her side defeated UCD Waves by a goal to nil – and said her side will be setting their sights on the league title in the next campaign.

City clinched their first ever WFAI Cup title in their history after a Clare Shine strike in the 33^rd minute, as part of a double on the day for the south-west club as the men's side would later dramatically defeat Dundalk.

O'Brien, though, was speechless after the game was over, saying: “Oh my god, it feels amazing!

“To have lost to them this season, and then to come here and win, it's just unbelievable.

“I think we played well in defence, I thought the back four was very solid, and I feel they didn't have any good chances.

“I'm very happy with our performance.”

The left-back also made sure to credit the assist of player of the match Katie McCarthy for the Cork opening goal.

McCarthy's through ball was fumbled through the UCD back line after a shoddy clearance attempt from Emily Cahill, giving Shine the chance to roll the ball past Brooke Dunne in the UCD net.

“The pass for the goal was unbelievable”, she exclaimed.

“The pass that Katie made, it was unbelievable, and it was a great finish too.”

O'Brien was pulling no punches about her expectations for next season either, confidently saying City should be expecting to challenge for the league title.

The league was clinched Saturday night by Wexford Youths, who jumped Peamount United on the final day after a 2-0 win.

With the four major women's trophies going to four different clubs, as well as six of the seven WNL sides contesting cup finals this year, the league has become an ultra-competitive battleground that O'Brien believes City will rise above next season.

“We're just going to enjoy our couple of weeks off, and we'll be back raring to go for next season – and we'll be coming for the league,” she concluded.