- Rory Merriman
- Sat, Mar 30 2024
Rory Merriman reports from Dalymount Park
Spectators watched on from the Jodi stand as Cork City secured their first win of the season when a long-range wonder strike from captain Eva Mangan put the Rebels on the scoresheet in a commanding 1-0 victory over Bohemian’s in Dalymount Park.
Billed as an opportunity for Danny Murphy’s Cork City to resurrect their status in the Women’s League of Ireland Premier Division having lost their opening two games, the Rebel’s overcame bad form and delivered an impressive performance to take home all three points.
Despite Lynn Craven’s long ball efforts over the top into 16-year-old, lone striker Savannah Kane, the ball just wouldn’t stick up front for the Gypsie’s as the Cork defence defended habitually and delt with the pressure of Bohemians throughout the first half.
A long rage effort that stuck the upright, from Cork Captain Eva Mangan and her corner kick effort that marginally missed the inside of the near post curling into the side netting were the closest efforts either side got on goal in the opening 45 minutes.
Cork opened the second half, continuing to dominate with Colleen Kennedy making life very difficult for centre half Tiegan Ruddy with two headed efforts that put Rachael Kelly’s goalkeeping to the test.
But it was Eva Mangan who broke the deadlock 74 minutes in with a wonder strike from outside the box that goalkeeper Kelly could only watched as it whistled into the top right corner putting Cork in the lead.
Although persistent, the Gypsies simply couldn’t break the Cork defence, with attacking plays from a substitute Abbie O’Hara and a long-range effort from Aoibhe Brennan coming to no avail.
Throwing everything they could at the formidable Cork City defence, the Gypsies efforts amounted to nothing as the game finished 1-0 to the visitors.
The final whistle echoed around Dalymount Park signalling a well deserved victory for Danny Murphy and the travelling ladies bringing them to 10th in the 11-woman table ahead of Wexford Youths.
Although it won’t be a game that will live long in their memories, it was a victory for Cork all the same, securing all three that points will stand to them as they push on in their 2024 league campaign.
Bohemians FC: Rachel Kelly (C); Lynn Craven; Ciara Smith (Sarah Power; 59); Lisa Murphy; Tiegan Ruddy; Fiona Donnelly; Aoibhe Brennan; Alannah McEvoy; Savannah Kane; Katie Lovely (Abbie O’Hara; 75); Shauna Carroll (Aoibhe Fleming; 74)
Subs: Sarah Power; Abbie O’Hara; Aoibhe Fleming;
Subs not used: Medbh Ryan; Orlagh Fitzpatrick; Aoife Brophy; Abby Rooney; Rachel McGrath
Booked: None.
Cork City: Clodagh Fitzpatrick; Heidi Macken; Kiera Sena; Orlaith O’Mahony; Eva Mangan (C) (Jess Mendez; 86); Ellie O’Brien (Aobhinn Donnelly; 22); Laura Shine (Erin O’Brien; 81) ; Niamh Cotter; Colleen Kennedy (Aoife Robinson; 90); Dorothea Greulich (Eidson Barret; 86); Alix Mendez
Subs: Jesse Mendez; Aoibhin Donnelly; Aoife Robinson; Erin O’Brein; Barret Eidson
Subs not used: Christina Dring; Hannah Walsh; Ciara McNamara; Shaunagh McCarthy
Booked: Heidi Macken; Clodagh Fitzgerald
Referee: John Sconnie Walsh
Attendance: 500 (Estimated)
extratime.com Player of the Match: Eva Mangan (Cork City)
