League Report: Cork City 1 - 3 Shelbourne

Ciara Grant of Shelbourne LFC watches as her ball goes into the back of the net during Shelbourne's 5-0 win over Athlone Town on Saturday, 5 June 2021.

Ciara Grant netted Shelbourne's third goal today. Credit: Peter Fitzpatrick (ETPhotos)

Dylan O’Connell reports from Turner’s Cross

Title chasing Shelbourne saw off Cork City with a 3-1 win at Turner’s Cross on Saturday afternoon in the Women’s National League.

This was a perfect performance from Noel King’s side, as they controlled possession from the first whistle.

Within minutes of kick-off, Rachel Gargan and Emily Whelan had half chances which went wide,

City responded to this by narrowing the space in front of goal and Danielle Burke and Ciara McNamara did well with this change to close down space and frustrate Shelbourne.

The opening goal came after 20 minutes when a through ball from Gargan parted the City back four, it found Emily Whelan, who slotted in to make it 1-0 Shelbourne.

The striker nearly doubled her lead seconds later when she burst into the box and fired a shot off with venom, but Abby McCarthy dived low to save.

The Red’s search for a quick second goal was ended just four minutes later by Noelle Murray, who finished with ease.

City’s attempt at a response was led by Laura Shine but the forward could not get through a tight Shelbourne midfield.

The Reds added their third of the afternoon just before half-time when Chloe Mustaki dinked the ball over the top of the defence for Ciara Grant to volley it in.



City pulled a goal back seconds after the restart when Nathalie O’Brien crossed the ball into the box and it floated in.

As City regrouped, Abby McCarthty was needed to deny Whelan and Noelle Murray with two excellent saves.

The heroics of the Rebel’s goalkeeper decided the remainder of the game in the end, as Shels left Turner’s Cross without adding to their three goals but with a valuable three points in the race for this year’s WNL title.

Cork City Women: Abby McCarthy (Kristen Sample 83); Nathalie O’Brien, Danielle Burke, Ciara McNamara (Tiffany Taylor 45) Niamh O’Donoghue (Rachel O’Regan 45) (Lauren Singleton 75), Christina Dring, Shaunagh McCarthy, Leah Murphy (Kate O’Donovan 83), Laura Shine, Eva Mangan,  Sarah McKevitt.

Subs not used: Kristen McGaffery; Riona Crowley, Lauren Walsh.

Shelbourne: Amanda Budden; Jess Gargan, Pearl Slattery, Alex Kavanagh, Jess Ziu, Rachel Graham, Emily Whelan, Noelle Murray, Ciara Grant, Chloe Mustaki.



Subs not used: Sophie Lenehan, Ella O’Connell, Abbie Larkin, Leah Doyle, Taylor White, Shauna Fox.

Referee: David Keeler

Extratime.com Player of the Match: Emily Whelan

    About Dylan O'Connell

    Dylan is a freelance journalist based in Cork. He joined Extratime in 2016 and he covers games all across Ireland. His bylines include The Echo, Irish Independent, Irish Examiner, The 42, RTÉ Sport, and Irish … View Full Profile