Cork Women's FC 2 - 2 Castlebar Celtic

Castlebar Celtic FC remain unbeaten despite Lynsey McKey’s first and second-half strikes earning Cork Women’s FC their first point of the Bus Éireann FAI Women’s National League campaign at CIT on Sunday afternoon.

Striker McKey headed Cork Women’s FC in front inside the opening 60 seconds however her second, scored seven minutes from the end of normal time, ensured Dave Bell’s Leesiders avoided a third straight defeat as Castlebar Celtic FC had maintained a 2-1 advantage up until that point.

However, it was an advantage the visitors scarcely deserved.

Cork Women’s FC have improved dramatically since their opening day reverse to Peamount United, an occasion whereby they played together for the very first time.

Dave Bell opted to retain the defensive quintet that started last weekend against Raheny United in Santry however there were changes made to the team further forward.

Katie McCarthy, getting her second start of the season, impacted greatly on the contest as the hosts’ left-winger, especially in the first-half in place of the injured Valerie Mulcahy.

Claudia Hudner began the match on the right-wing following her impressive cameo in the capital while captain Denise O’Sullivan joined Susan Donovan in central midfield.

McKey was partnered by Irish U17 international captain Clare Shine in the final third.

Cork Women’s FC performed with a controlled aggression, dictating the tempo of the tie for sustained periods but were susceptible to Castlebar’s counter-attacking orchestrated by Patricia Moran and Ruth Fahy.

Still, the hosts were unfortunate not to have collected maximum points.

Cork Women’s FC were generally the more accomplished side in possession though the westerners were organised without it and operated efficiently as a defensive unit, Maria Harrington and Jenny Byrne particularly effective throughout.

The Leesiders engineered a dream start to proceedings just seconds after the kick-off.

Following a free-kick deep into Ashling Concannon’s area that was half cleared, Katie McCarthy’s header back across the six-yard box was nearly turned in by the out-stretched Denise O’Sullivan however after it evaded a Castlebar defender too, Lynsey McKey had the straightforward task of nodding into an empty net.

Castlebar were on the back-foot in the early stages but actually created the best opportunity on 13 minutes, breaking quickly out of defence as striker Emma Hansberry found Shaunagh Jackson but the left-winger’s blistering shot hit the side-netting.

Celtic were level though 10 minutes later as Irish U19 international Aileen Gilroy utilised a 25-yard free-kick to devastating effect curling delightfully into the top corner giving Rachel Mullins no chance.

With 29 minutes elapsed on the clock, Cork Women’s FC passed up a glorious opportunity to restore their lead.

Susan Donovan picked out Claudia Hudner down the right-hand touchline with a precision pass and when the winger squared inside to the on-rushing Clare Shine the striker was left clear through but opted to unselfishly attempt to pass to Denise O’Sullivan when pulling the trigger herself would have most likely proved a more productive option. Instead the pass was intercepted and the ball was cleared to safety.

Though extremely unfortunate earlier on in the match not to notch, Shaunagh Jackson produced a magical moment on 31 minutes to edge Castlebar in front.

Picking up the ball on halfway, Jackson slalomed through the Cork Women’s FC defence with her pace and skill and turning effectively in the area afforded her enough latitude to curl around the advancing Mullins into the bottom corner.

In the space of eight minutes Castlebar Celtic FC had completely turned the game on its head and went in leading at the interval, 2-1.

Cork Women’s FC upped the ante even further in the second-half however and forced a number of corners, one of which, taken by Clare Shine, very nearly resulted in an equaliser as Denise O’Sullivan’s header from point blank range was blocked by Concannon on the goal-line.

Substitutes Amy McCarthy and Laura Lynch were directly involved in Cork Women’s FC’s late leveller as the pressure eventually paid off for the home side.

McCarthy burst out of defence in possession, passed to Lynch who in turn clipped a delicate ball over the top to Shine.

The striker controlled, side-footed across to McKey and the attacker blasted past Concannon on 83 minutes to level and inevitably earn the hosts a precious point.

CORK WOMEN’S FC: Rachel Mullins, Orla Barry, Lauren Murphy, Marie Curtin, Emma Farmer, Susan Donovan, Claudia Hudner, Denise O’Sullivan (capt), Lynsey McKey, Clare Shine, Katie McCarthy.

Subs: Amy McCarthy for Barry (69), Laura Lynch for Hudner (74).

CASTLEBAR CELTIC FC: Ashling Concannon, Theresea Fahy, Avril Kilkelly, Maria Harrington, Jenny Byrne, Patricia Moran, Niamh McLoughlin, Ruth Fahy (capt), Aileen Gilroy, Emma Hansberry, Shaunagh Jackson.

Subs: Ciara Carroll for Theresa Fahy (60), Aileen Collins for McLoughlin (63).

Referee: Chrissie Buckley (Cork).

Attendance: 175.