League Report: Cork City 2 - 3 Treaty United

Dylan O'Connell reports from Turner's Cross

Munster Derby bragging rights went the way of Limerick in the Women’s National League after Treaty United beat Cork City Women 3-2 at Turner’s Cross on Saturday afternoon. 

Two goals from Rebecca Horgan, combined with a fantastic solo run by Gillian Keenan gave the Shannonsiders their first win of the 2021 season. 

A fantastic goal from Sarah McKevitt’s and an injury time penalty from Becky Cassin made sure City fought right down to the final whistle in this spirited Munster Derby.  

The result was fully deserved by Treaty, as the team executed manager Niall Connolly’s game plan to perfection. This meant holding a compact shape for much of the first half, which restricted City to long range efforts. Eabha O’Mahony and Laura Singleton did well to get free and try their luck, but each time the ball sailed wide. 

Treaty’s first goal came from a spectacular strike by Horgan. The striker fired from distance at the top right corner of the City goal. Abby McCarthty did get a hand to the ball, but this did nothing as it dropped in. 

The equaliser for City game from a twenty five yard strike from McKevitt, which flew into the top corner, well out of Michaela Mitchell’s reach. 

It looked like it was 2-1 Treaty when the wind carried a free kick from Jeanna Slattery into the top corner, however, as the forward celebrated, referee Claire Purcell ruled it out as it was from an indirect free-kick. 

A long ball from Mitchell was nearly inch perfect to the feet of Horgan. The striker raced through, beyond the City defensive, and unleashed an unstoppable shot which restored Treaty’s lead. 

City’s quest for a second goal was patient. Their first opportunity to score came through a long ball from McCarthy which landed right into the path of Laure Shine. The striker fired first time into the hands of Mitchell. Minutes later, Cassin jumped the highest from a City free-kick and had a powerful header well saved by the Treaty goal-keeper. 

The cool temperament of City’s play caught the eye of Gillian Keenan, who dashed in to pick the ball from the pocket of the Cork midfield. She then stormed forward and sensing danger, fired across goal and in to give Treaty a 3-1 lead. 

City pulled one back in extra-time with Cassin powering a penalty into the Shed End. Unfortunately, the Rebel Army couldn’t get through the wall of red jerseys in the dying seconds to try for an equaliser. 

Cork City Women: Abby McCarthy (gk), Danielle Burke (Riona Crowley 16), Ciara McNamara, Eabha O’Mahony, Christine Dring, Laura Shine (Sophie Liston 56), Becky Cassin, Eva Mangan (Katie McCarthy 56), Sarah McKevitt, Lauren Walsh (Shaunagh McCarthy 45), Lauren Singleton (Lauren Egbuloniu 70). 

Subs not used: Leah Hayes Coen (gk), Kate O’Donovan, Leah Murphy, Nadine Seward. 

Booked: None.

Treaty United: Michaela Mitchell (gk), Eimear Carey (Lauren Keane 54), Shannon Parbat, Eve O’Sullivan, Jenna Slattery, Tara O’Gorman, Rebecca Horgan (Aine Walsh 70), Aoife Horgan, Gillian Keenan (Cara Griffin 67), Olivia Gibson, Jesse Mendez. 

Subs Not Used: Meabh Ryan (gk), Anna Shanagher. 

Booked: Jesse Mendez (Yellow Card).

Referee: Claire Purcell 

Extratime.com Player of the Match: Rebecca Horgan (Treaty United)

Colin Healy: 'From a Cork City point of view, we are disappointed we did not get the three points' https://t.co/FP3HCodS8Kpic.twitter.com/oef6k3cnzF

— Extratime.com (@ExtratimeNews) May 22, 2021