- Paul Corcoran
- Sat, Sep 25 2021
Paul Corcoran reports from Eamonn Deacy Park
Galway claimed victory in the Women’s National League on Saturday afternoon with a 1-0 win over Treaty United at Eamonn Deacy Park.
Emma Starr’s third goal of the season sealed the deal for the Tribeswomen with several players going close to adding to that lead throughout the game.
Treaty United’s goalkeeper Michaela Mitchell played a huge part in keeping Galway to just the one goal with the shot stopper making several key saves throughout.
Galway dominated from the early stages of this game with Rachel Kearns and Kate Slevin having early chances on goal but Mitchell denied the home side on both occasions.
Treaty United’s defence had to be alert to all dangers with Julie-Ann Russell having a couple of clear opportunities to put the Tribeswomen in front and defenders assisting their goalkeeper to deny the midfielder.
In the fifth minute Russell struck a volley at goal only for Rebecca Horgan to make a stop on the line and then two minutes later a low cross from Slevin found the midfielder in the box once again but this time Alannah Mitchell intervened to prevent the Republic of Ireland international from scoring.
Jenna Slattery was on target for the visitors twice midway through the first half, Leah Hayes Cohen saved her first shot after the midfielder’s corner kick came back out from a defensive header by Galway’s Becky Walsh in the 19th minute.
One minute later, referee Michael Connolly blew his whistle after Walsh was judged to have committed a foul on the very edge of the Galway box giving Slattery another great chance to put her side in front.
Her free kick beat the wall, but Hayes Cohen was on hand once again to get across her goal and deny the visitors the lead.
Méabh De Búrca started a great move five minutes later with a great long ball across the field to Slevin on the right wing, the midfielder struck another cross low into the box giving Russell another opportunity from close range, but Mitchell was able to make the save.
Lynsey McKey got in on the action ten minutes from the break with an effort on target from inside the box, Mitchell again made the save with the Galway player putting the rebound across the goalmouth with Slevin just missing the opportunity to turn the ball into the net.
Galway continued to create chances in the first 15 minutes of the second half with Kearns, Walsh and Russell all sending the ball narrowly wide of the goal.
They finally made their breakthrough in the 62nd minute when Therese Kinnevey sent another cross into the box, Kearns nodded it down to Emma Starr who struck the ball low and hard into the bottom corner of the net.
United provided a scare for Galway when Slattery was given another opportunity from a free kick to net for the visitors. The midfielder struck the ball well, but she couldn’t keep the effort down as the ball sailed over the crossbar.
Aoife Thompson entered the fray in the second half for the Tribeswomen and she came close to doubling the lead in the 81st minute when Starr struck a nice cross from the left wing. The Treaty defence were able to deny the striker from close range with a great last-ditch intervention.
Starr nearly added to her account for the game in the 89th minute when she was played through on goal by Slevin. The American looked a dead cert to score but Mitchell got the deftest of touches to her shot to deny the Tribeswomen.
Galway WFC: Leah Hayes Cohen; Savannah McCarthy, Therese Kinnevey, Shauna Brennan, Becky Walsh; Lynsey McKey (Nicole McNamara 66), Meabh de Burca (Rachel Baynes 83), Julie-Ann Russell, Kate Slevin, Emma Starr; Rachel Kearns (Aoife Thompson 78).
Subs not used: Hannah Walsh, Sinead Donovan, Aoibheann Costello, Abbie Callanan.
Booked: None.
Treaty United: Michaela Mitchell; Clodagh Doherty, Alannah Mitchell (Cara Griffin 22), Eve O'Sullivan (Eimear Carey 72); Emma Costelloe, Olivia Gibson (Aoife Cronin 67), Esra Kangal (Shannon Parbat 16), Lauren Keane, Gillian Keenan, Jenna Slattery; Rebecca Horgan.
Subs not used: Maebh Ryan.
Booked: Jenna Slattery (45) .
Referee: Michael Connolly.
extratime.com Player of the Match: Michaela Mitchell (Treaty United)
