Cork Women 3 - 0 Shamrock Rovers

Amy O’Connor scored twice as Cork Women’s FC won their second Bus Éireann FAI WNL match of the current campaign at Turner’s Cross on Sunday afternoon deservedly defeating Shamrock Rovers.

O’Connor, arguably the most threatening operator on the pitch in general play as well as her finishing technique, found the net in the 23rd minute and again a minute into the second half, the second of which afforded Cork crucial breathing space from their opponents.

Subsequently, Lynsey McKey drilled beyond goalkeeper Michelle Watson with two minutes of regulation time remaining to guarantee maximum points in a WNL fixture for the first time since August 26 of last year for the Leesiders.

With the victory, Cork leap-frog Rovers in the seven-team section and it also means all seven points Maurice Farrell’s unit have accrued were accumulated against the Tallaght-based outfit.

Cork have now won five and drawn one of their six WNL encounters against Rovers since the beginning of last season and their latest win was achieved despite the unavailability of Denise O’Sullivan and Clare Shine, two internationals, through injury.

Cork showed signs of improvement in their previous cup loss to Castlebar Celtic FC however they earned the result their performance deserved on this occasion and with it a first clean sheet of the entire term.

The Leesiders were dominant throughout and O’Connor edged Farrell’s side in front midway through the opening period after Eimear Knightly’s industry on the right allowed her striking partner a sight of goal.

O’Connor struck a stinging shot which rebounded kindly back to her off the post but her second attempt hit the far post before she steered her third shot home.

O’Connor was electric in the first-half particularly and had two more notable opportunities, one which flew across Watson’s goal and the second of which she actually should have scored, was saved by the net-minder.

In the 44th minute a smart attack orchestrated by Miriam Mulhall-Quigley and Sharon Owens resulted in Orlagh Nolan volleying weakly which Cork stopper Linda McNamara collecting with ease.

Left-full Lauren Murphy had the ball in Rovers’ net for Cork three minutes into added time at the end of the first-half but was deemed to have been offside and so the goal did not stand.

However, moments after the restart O’Connor broke away one-on-one with Watson and slipped the ball under the goalkeeper’s body.

McKey hit a sizzling volley four minutes later which went over and later O’Connor rounded Watson but her subsequent attempt was blocked before finishing in the net.

Nevertheless, an excellent attacking move involving substitute Alba Garcia and Kiera Hannon, with the latter playing McKey in behind the Rovers’ defence, allowed the right-winger to rifle into the far corner.

Cork Women’s FC: Linda McNamara, Nathalie O’Brien, Lauren Murphy, Emma Farmer (capt), Ciara O’Connell, Megan Kelleher, Kiera Hannon, Claudia Hudner, Amy O’Connor, Eimear Knightly, Lynsey McKey.

Subs: Laura Lynch for Knightly (65), Amanda Budden for Hudner (79), Alba Garcia for Kelleher (79).

Shamrock Rovers: Michelle Watson, Rebekah Carroll, Joanne Ennis, Carol Conlon (capt), Gráinne Walsh, Paula Doran, Miriam Mulhall-Quigley, Jessica Dillon, Orlagh Nolan, Sharon Owens, Lisa Murphy.

Subs: Louise Kerrigan for Conlon (57), Niamh Nolan for Mulhall-Quigley (64), Aisling Cusack for Murphy (79).

Referee: Chrissie Buckley (Cork).