- Dylan O'Connell
- Sat, Jul 03 2021
A 1-0 win over Bohemians on Saturday afternoon gave Cork City Women their first victory of the 2021 Women’s National League season.
It was a corner from Eabha O’Mahony which was turned in at the far post by Becky Cassin which gave the Rebel Army their first three points of the year.
The goal and the celebrations were made all the sweeter by the 200 fans in attendance in Turner’s Cross, who saw one of the most fluid and dynamic performances by City this season.
Paul Farrell set his team up to aggressively and they pressed and counter pressed the Bohemians back four. This lead to Christina Dring picking off a misplaced pass at the edge of the area. The striker shot first time, and the ball smacked off the post.
After the energetic start, it was O’Mahony’s second corner of the game which gave City the lead. The forward swung a corner to the far post and club captain Cassin twisted free to head in.
Bohemians’ biggest attacking threat was defender Yvonne Hedigan, as she kept getting onto the end of free kicks and crosses. Her first attempt, managed to hit the back of the net, but the goal was ruled out for offside. A second effort in the final moments of the first half, was stopped at point blank range by the stern hands of Maria O’Sullivan.
The second half began with the perfect opportunity for Bohemians to equalise, as Naima Chemaou spotted O’Sullivan off her line. She attempted to lob the City goalkeeper and in doing so, put too much power in and the ball went wide.
Bohemians were clearly inspired by this opening, as their midfield went further forward to assist the attack, which lead to a flurry of chances. The first fell to Erica Burke, who dribbled into the area. Inside was Ciara McNamara, who pipped the ball from the feet of the attacker. Seconds later, a lose ball from a corner kick was blasted over by Sophie Waters.
Sophie Liston went agonisingly close to giving City some insurance in the final ten minutes, but her free header at the far post was saved by Courtney Maguire.
City were forced to swap their goalkeepers in added time as O’Sullivan picked up an injury. Abby McCarthy was only on the pitch a matter of seconds and she saved her side, by stopping a header from Lisa Murphy.
Cork City Women: Maria O’Sullivan (Abby McCarthy 87), Ciara McNamara, Eabha O’Mahony, Lauren Egbuloniu (Lauren Shine 83), Christina Dring (Sophie Liston 50), Christina Dring, Shaunagh McCarthy (Lauren Singleton 83), Leah Murphy, Becky Cassin, Eva Mangan, Sarah McKevitt, Lauren Walsh.
Subs not used: Nathalie O’Brien, Danielle Burke, Kate O’Donovan, Riona Crowley, Kelly Leahy.
Booked: None.
Bohemians: Courtney Maguire, Ann Marie Byrne, Isabelle Finnegan, Ally Cahill (Lisa Murphy 45) (Niamh McKenna 90), Branagh Kane (Katie Lovely 45), Sophie Waters, Erica Burke, Chloe Darby, Abbie Brophy, Naima Chemaou (Aoife Robinson 77), Yvonne Hedigan.
Subs not used: Jade Reddy, Ciara Mulligan, Georgia Monks.
Booked: None
Referee: Chris Sheehan
