League Report: Galway United 1 - 0 Shamrock Rovers

Paul Corcoran reports from Eamonn Deacy Park

Galway United secured a crucial first win in four games in the Women’s Premier Division when they ran out 1-0 winners over Shamrock Rovers on Saturday afternoon.

The game served as a preview to next week’s All-Island Cup Final, with the sides playing out a relatively cagey affair producing just one goal as Jenna Slattery struck from the penalty spot in the second half.

Galway’s win pushes them into third place in the Women’s Premier Division as they keep their slim hopes at a title bid alive.

Rovers were nearly handed an early gift of a goal when Kaylee Hammer, making just her second appearance for Galway, passed the ball directly to Emily Corbet inside the box with Eve Dossen coming to the goalkeeper’s rescue to deny the visitors in the third minute.

At the other end Lynsey McKey was forced out wide by Amanda Budden but her attempted cross – or shot – clipped the post and went out wide to the relief of Collie O’Neil in the fifth minute.

Both sides cancelled each other out for large portions of the game, but the home side possibly had the better chances in the first half.

They went close in the 22^nd minute when Kate Thompson flashed wide from a Jenna Slattery free-kick, Julie-Ann Russell fired wide in the 27^th minute after a well worked move.

Hammer was busy in the Galway goal on the half hour mark after a dangerous cross from Aine O’Gorman – the American shot stopper blocked down Stephanie Zambra before diving forward to deny Lia O’Leary.

Russell went close again five minutes before half-time with a lovely bit of skill to take the ball down from Isabella Beletic and past Fiona Owens but her shot only found the hands of Rovers’ shot stopper.

Four minutes after the re-start Hammer was making it hard for herself in the Galway goal, this time she played a quick kick-out straight to Zambra who couldn’t quite believe the ball fell to her and fired off a snapshot which the goalkeeper managed to save.

The Tribeswomen were in the lead in the 56^th minute courtesy of a well placed penalty kick by Slattery into the right corner. Referee Thomas Joyce had made no hesitation in pointing to the spot when O’Gorman came through the back of Doherty in the box, the Ireland international receiving a booking for the offence.

O’Gorman came close to drawing the side level in the 87^th minute, the former Ireland international had Hammer beaten with a free-kick but the ball clipped the woodwork and went over the bar, a very close call for the Tribeswomen.

Budden was called into action with a fine save in the 88^th minute to deny Slattery a second goal when the midfielder fancied her chances from long distance.

Rovers had a late opportunity to equalise when O’Gorman struck a ball to the far post with a free-kick, the Hoops were queuing up to put it in the net but the crowded box made it difficult to get off a clear chance and the ball was eventually bundled over the line.

Kate Slevin fired the ball over in the final minute of injury time to leave the score at 1-0.

United and Rovers face off for the All-Island Cup next Saturday, 17 August at Tallaght Stadium.

Galway United Women: Kaylee Hammer; Eve Dossen, Jamie Erickson, Therese Kinnevey, Amy Madden; Isabella Beletic, Lynsey McKey (Aislinn Meaney 72), Jenna Slattery, Kate Thompson; Emma Doherty (Rola Olusola 83), Julie-Ann Russell (Abbie Callanan 90).

Subs not used: Jessica Berlin, Lucy-Jayne Grant, Roisin Jacob, Emma Duffy, Heather Loomes, Emily Kavanaugh.
Booked: None.

Shamrock Rovers WFC: Amanda Budden; Jessica Hennessy, Savannah McCarthy (Shauna Fox 68), Maria Reynolds; Aoife Kelly, Aine O'Gorman, Melissa O'Kane, Lia O'Leary, Fiona Owens (Katie O'Reilly 68), Stephanie Zambra (Lauren Kelly 80); Emily Corbet (Joy Ralph 68).

Subs not used: Laura Fanning, Alannah Prizeman, Ella Kelly.

Booked: Aine O'Gorman (55).

Referee: Thomas Joyce.

Attendance: 300 (estimate)

extratime.com Player of the Match: Jenna Slattery (Galway United)

League of Ireland shifts several key Premier Division fixtures https://t.co/ny0P37zcs8pic.twitter.com/tYRvfCv4zN

— extratime.com (@ExtratimeNews) August 10, 2024