- Simon O'Gorman
- Sun, May 29 2022
A four-goal salvo in the sunshine gave Shelbourne a well-deserved win on Saturday afternoon as they overcame a committed challenge from Cork City Women in this Women’s National League encounter at Turner’s Cross.
The home side were up against it from the start with Shelbourne having lost only once this season and having conceded just one solitary goal in their eleven league matches.
By comparison, City had just six points on the board and had let in 40 goals in the same number of games. No surprise, then, that Shels took the lead just four minutes in.
It stemmed from the persistence of full-back Jess Gargan who’s cross from the right was headed on target by Saoirse Noonan. City keeper, Maria O’Sullivan, pulled off a fine save, only to see the rebound fall to Abbie Larkin who hammered it home from close range.
As expected Shelbourne provided most of the forward momentum but City impressed with the discipline and commitment they showed. Ciara McNamara and Danielle Burke were a solid pairing at the back while Zara Foley, Eva Mangan and Becky Cassin worked like trojans to give their team a solid footing in the game.
Meanwhile, up front, Christina Dring worked tirelessly to offer passing options for her overworked teammates in midfield.
But the class of this Shelbourne side is unmistakable and hard as City worked they were always in danger of going further behind. Shortly before the half hour mark the Reds almost did just that when another spell of pressure ended with striker Noelle Murray forcing O’Sullivan into a finger-tip save that nudged her shot onto the City crossbar.
One minute later Shels captain, Pearl Slattery, should have scored when her header from six yards out was well saved by O’Sullivan. Minutes later Abbie Larkin’s shot from a quickly taken free was deflected into the path of Murray who’s pile-driver of a shot flew narrowly wide.
The dam was finally breached in the 35th minute. Again O’Sullivan saved the initial effort from Larkin, but Noonan was on hand to bury the rebound.
City had their moments, Eva Mangan with a sharp turn and shot on 29 minutes, and Zara Foley so very nearly connecting with a Mangan cross five minutes from the break. But Shelbourne’s lead at the turnaround was well deserved.
Shelbourne started the second half on the front foot and continued to impress. Jessica Gargan and Ziu combined powerfully on their right while Noonan, Larkin and Murray all roamed the City half like sharks in search of a meal.
And even when Cork broke into attack the visitors could count on a superb back four. Gargan, Slattery, Shauna Fox and Chloe Mustaki are as elegant a defensive unit as you will find at this level.
Already in charge of the second period Shels were gifted a chance to extend their lead on 50 minutes when referee David Keeler awarded a penalty after Noonan slipped inside the Cork box. There appeared not to have been any contact so justice was served when the otherwise magnificent Noelle Murray clattered her spot kick off the post and away.
Inspired by the reprieve City broke immediately but Zara Foley’s effort from distance lacked the power or accuracy to really threaten Amanda Budden’s goal.
On 68 minutes City had keeper O’Sullivan to thank for not slipping further behind when she denied Noonan who had been played clean through the home defence. And from here on in Cork tired visibly, struggling to cover Shelbourne’s movement and finding themselves more regularly outpaced at the back.
But it was not until the 86th minute that Shels scored their third goal, Noelle Murray applying a textbook finish to the bottom corner of the City net having been played into space fifteen yards out.
City might have grabbed a consolation goal in the 90th minute when Mangan almost deflected the ball in, only to see it slip over Budden’s bar. But then Shels applied a coup de grace with a fourth two minutes into added time.
Substitutes Jemma Quinn and Lia O’Leary combined to breach the City defensive line and O’Leary tucked the ball past O’Sullivan for her first senior goal.
At the end, despite their defeat, the City players went to the stands where a legion of young fans had gathered. There were high-fives, selfies and smiles all round. And rightly so. Despite the scoreline Cork’s young team had performed admirably. Shelbourne, meanwhile, could take pride in a superb performance that contributes another three points to their title challenge.
Cork City Women: Maria O’Sullivan; Nathalie O’Brien, Ciara McNamara, Danielle Burke, Orlaith Deasy (Lauren Singleton 46); Aoibhin Donnelly (Kate O’Donovan 72), Zara Foley, Beck Cassin, Eva Mangan, Shaunagh McCarthy; Christina Dring.
Subs Not Used: Abby McCarthy (gk), Nadine Seward, Riona Crowley, Mia O’Connell, Lauren Walsh, Heidi Mackin, Fiana Bradley.
Booked: None.
Shelbourne Women: Amanda Budden; Jessica Gargan, Pearl Slattery, Shauna Fox, Chloe Mustaki; Jessica Ziu (Jemma Quinn 88), Rachel Graham (Leah Doyle 82), Jessie Stapleton, Abbie Larkin (Megan Smyth-Lynch 75); Saoirse Noonan (Gloria Douglas 75), Noelle Murray (Lia O’Leary 88).
Subs Not Used: Amanda McQuillan (gk), Keeva Keenan, Taylor White, Aoife Kelly.
Booked: None.
Referee: David Keeler
Attendance: 250 (estimate)
Extratime Player of the Match: Noelle Murray (Shelbourne)
