Cork Women 0 - 3 Raheny United

Captain Mary Waldron scored twice to inspire Raheny United to victory over Cork Women’s FC at Turner’s Cross in the Bus Éireann FAI Women’s National League on Sunday afternoon.

Central midfielder Rachel Graham dominated the middle third extremely well for Ger McDermott’s outfit while ahead of her attackers Waldron, Rebecca Creagh and Noelle Murray looked threatening, particularly in the latter stages of the opening half before Raheny eventually broke the Cork rearguard down.

In what was the final game of 2012 for the Leesiders, manager Maurice Farrell started the tie with Emma Farmer and Angie Carry in central defence, Sarah O’Donovan and Laura Lynch in central midfield, the latter dropping deep on occasion in the first-half before being replaced at half-time by Maggie Duncliffe, with Denise O’Sullivan ahead of the starting pair.

Clare Shine and Lynsey McKey occupied the Raheny defenders further forward however generally Cork lacked penetration despite the quality in their side.

Furthermore, they didn’t supply the likes of winger Amy McCarthy, Shine or McKey with sufficient possession to truly trouble the Dubliners’ defence.

However, while trailing 1-0 and still in with a shout of earning a positive result, Cork lost the services of O’Sullivan through injury 12 minutes into the second half which certainly didn’t help their cause.

Yet, Raheny, without setting the world alight by their high standards it has to be said, possessed the more accomplished players in possession and deserved maximum points.

Mary Waldron’s through-ball for Raheny afforded Siobhan Killeen the opportunity to advance on Katie Hannon’s goal and shoot however the net-minder denied Killeen with her legs in the 20th minute.

Raheny’s Noelle Murray then hit a half-volley narrowly wide of Hannon’s post at the Shed End as the visitors became more dominant.

Murray subsequently crossed to Waldron who had a free header from six yards but nodded straight at Hannon and Cork survived the scare.

Rebecca Creagh slipped a neat pass through to Murray 34 minutes into the contest and the attacker shot but Hannon palmed the ball away.

Raheny then took the lead through Waldron three minutes later. Creagh’s corner was flicked on and Waldron steered the ball into the far corner giving Hannon no chance.

Laura Lynch later curled a 25-yard free-kick over Emma Merrigan’s bar with five minutes of regulation time remaining in the first-half.

The Leesiders performed better in the second period however were caught with a sucker-punch when Waldron scored her second - a looping volley in over the head of Hannon from 25 yards, a goal out of nothing in many respects.

Raheny then guaranteed victory when substitute Catherine Cronin turned a Katie McCabe corner home from three yards in the 75th minute.

Cork Women’s FC: Katie Hannon, Nathalie O’Brien, Ciara O’Connell, Angie Carry, Emma Farmer (capt), Laura Lynch, Sarah O’Donovan, Denise O’Sullivan, Amy McCarthy, Lynsey McKey, Clare Shine.

Subs: Maggie Duncliffe for Lynch (h-t), Kerri Hancock for O’Sullivan (inj., 57), Katie McCarthy for O’Donovan (67).

Raheny United: Emma Merrigan, Sinead O’Farrelly, Shauna Newman, Seana Cooke, Kate Flood, Rachel Graham, Katie McCabe, Rebecca Creagh, Noelle Murray, Mary Waldron (capt), Siobhan Killeen.

Subs: Catherine Cronin for Killeen (h-t), Laura Ryan for Newman (85), Niamh Walsh for Creagh (89).

Referee: Chrissie Buckley (Cork).