- Paul Corcoran
- Sat, Apr 29 2023
Paul Corcoran reports from the UCD Bowl
Galway United extended their unbeaten run in the Women’s Premier Division to five games with a 2-0 win over DLR Waves at the UCD Bowl on Saturday afternoon.
The visitors took the lead in the first half through Gemma McGuinness before Jenna Slattery doubled their lead in the second half to give United another win, keeping them up near the top of the table.
Graham Kelly made just one change from his side’s scoreless draw with Treaty United last weekend as Cliodhna Donnelly came into the starting line-up in place of Amber Cosgrove.
Phil Trill made two changes to the Tribeswomen after their 2-1 win over Sligo Rovers last Saturday with goalkeeper Jessica Berlin coming back in and Abbiegayle Ronayne dropping to the bench, Aoife Thompson also returned to the first eleven with Abbie Callanan starting on the bench.
Waves were the first to make moves on the attack in the opening minutes with talented striker Joy Ralph taking the ball down the wing early on – she drilled a dangerous cross into the box near the endline, but Jessica Berlin reacted quickly to palm the ball away from danger.
United took the lead in the 12th minute after a goalmouth scramble from a Lynsey McKey corner kick. The home side’s defence held strong initially before the ball was worked out to McGuinness who rattled a shot on goal, Eve Badana made the initial save, but the ball was still live and managed to roll over the line.
The visitors were nearly in for a second goal minutes later when Thompson ran on to an excellent through ball, Aoife Brophy gave chase and put the striker under pressure eventually making an excellent block to break down the attack.
Ralph struck the target in the 26th minute with a rasping free-kick from distance, Berlin was able to make the save to deny the home side. The free was the result of a blow to Graham Kelly’s side with Eve O’Brien leaving the field through injury after a heavy challenge.
Katie Malone was in on goal minutes later and very nearly scored only for a mixture of Jessica Berlin’s reactions in goal and the woodwork which combined to preserve Galway’s slender lead.
The home side linked up to create a lovely move in the 33rd minute with heaps of stylish passes in the build-up, Cliodhna Donnelly had the last pass to set up Kane who drew an excellent diving save from the Galway goalkeeper.
Ralph began the second half with an early shot when she cut in past Isabella Beletic before striking the ball from the edge of the box, again the striker’s attempt on goal was foiled by Berlin.
Waves suffered a bit of misfortune for Galway’s second goal, when they doubled their lead on the hour mark. Jenna Slattery fired off a shot from the edge of the box and Badana may have managed to pull off a save only for a heavy deflection in the box which took it away from the goalkeeper.
Neither team created much in the way of clear cut chances for the remainder of the second half with United keeping the home side at bay and holding out for the three points.
The Tribeswomen will host Treaty United next weekend while DLR Waves will host Wexford Youths.
DLR Waves: Eve Badana; Robyn Bolger, Aoife Brophy, Jessica Gleeson, Hannah Tobin-Jones; Cliodhna Donnelly, Michelle Doonan (Amber Cosgrove 69), Katie Malone (Freya Roche 75), Neema Nyangasi, Eve O'Brien (Bronagh Kane 26); Joy Ralph.
Subs not used: Rugile Auskalnyte, Nicole Keogh, Keelin Dodd, Nadine Redmond.
Booked: None.
Galway United Women: Jessica Berlin; Aoibheann Costello, Eve Dossen, Jamie Erickson, Therese Kinnevey; Isabella Beletic, Gemma McGuinness (Nicole McNamara 87), Lynsey McKey (Roisin Jacob 84), Jenna Slattery (Jodie Griffin 84), Kate Thompson (Anna Fahey 87); Aoife Thompson (Siobhan Doolan 75).
Subs not used: Abbiegayle Ronayne, Amy Madden, Rola Olusola, Abbie Callanan.
Booked: Jenna Slattery (76).
Sent off: None.
Referee: Kate O’Brien.
extratime.com Player of the Match: Jenna Slattery (Galway United)
