- Christine Allen
- Sun, Oct 13 2024
Christine Allen reports from Tallaght Stadium
As swangsongs go, Stephanie Zambra’s was fitting to say the least.
The Shamrock Rovers forward showed her pedigree in the Hoops’ final clash of the campaign, controlling the ball with a mastery synonymous with 10,000+ hours of practice as the trailblazer finished with a flourish in the 63rd minute.
While neither Shelbourne nor Rovers had any skin left in the league, pride and honour were at stake – the home side battling in what was a scrappy affair to take the full complement of points from their FAI Cup slayers.
And battle they did.
In front of a West Stand consisting of 910 supporters, The Hoops met the league runners up play for play and tackle for tackle.
Rovers were without Savannah McCarthy and their commanding centre back Maria Reynolds – Collie O’Neill’s team sheet revealing four changes to their starting eleven.
Shauna Fox to her credit took the helm of what was a makeshift backline, handling the Reds line of attack without so much as shedding a bead of sweat.
Kate Mooney stood out from the beat as she snaked past the green and white shirts in the heart of the park – the Shels summer signing eight goal tally teeing her into contention for the 2024 Golden Boot with 90 minutes of the campaign left to play.
Shelbourne had the first chance to draw blood in the 5th - deft link up play between Noelle Murray and Megan Smyth Lynch gifting Maggie Pierce a strike that the creative Canadian scooped high over Amanda Budden’s crossbar.
Lia O’Leary impressed for Rovers, weaving and feinting down the left channel as the Tallaght tiki-takas looked to break on the counter.
Zambra came within inches of opening the scoring in the 13th when her boot connected with an Aine O’Gorman whip – the home supporters groaning in disappointment on behalf of their retiree as the ball dented the side netting.
For the visitors, Murray worked tirelessly to prise open a gap in the Rovers backline but the Reds were left frustrated by Scarlett Herron and Aoife Kelly who defended gallantly.
Joy Ralph would force Amanda McQuillan to bring her A game to parry in the 26th minute.
A first time ball on the turn from O’Gorman threading the number 19 through a gap that took both Pearl Slattery and Jess Gargan off guard.
Tallaght native Ella Kelly in turn charged fearlessly at former Hoop Gargan, the young teen showing no fear in senior colours while Alex Kavanagh showed quick feet in the centre for the Drumcondra side.
Pierce and Gargan put their bodies on the line in the dying embers of the 1st half to deny the Kelly’s a place on the scoresheet.
In the second half, both sides played with an edge as they raced to net the opener - Keeva Keenan seeing a flash of yellow for a robust challenge that toppled the marauding Owens.
The Hoops were silenced by Eoin Wearen’s side in the 59th minute as Mooney controlled Murray’s through ball before swerving past Budden’s outstretched feet and slotting the ball home.
Rovers hit back minutes later with a sweet strike from Zambra that rocked Tallaght.
Shelbourne looked rattled as Rovers reign began with the Tallaght faithful roaring in encouragement as O’Gorman pedalled helter skelter to reach a switch out wide from Ralph who charged deep inside the box.
But on two occasions, the number 13 was just shy of finding the Rovers attacker.
Katie O’Reilly’s introduction for The Hoops injected a fresh venom in their press and Shels battened down the hatches as the tail end of Hurricane Hoop swept through Dublin 24.
Rovers boss O’Neill triggered a double substitution in the final 10, embracing his number 10 in the 83rd as the West Stand rose to attention in recognition of the Shankill native’s service.
35-year-old Zambra looked on from the dugout as fellow Hoop Emily Corbet sparked to life on the right - the former Wexford Youth urged on by the home fans as she cruised beyond Leah Doyle and claimed the ball.
Rovers looked certain to finish in style as Corbet cut inside Doyle and wound up to strike but the shot fell square to McQuillan’s feet.
Moments later, the trill of the final whistle pierced the Autumnal air. Odds even at the Dublin Derby.
Shamrock Rovers: Amanda Budden; Fiona Owens (Emily Corbet, 75), Shauna Fox, Aoife Kelly, Stephanie Zambra (Alannah Prizeman, 83), Lia O'Leary, Aine O'Gorman, Joy Ralph (Lauren Kelly, 83), Scarlett Herron , Melissa O'Kane (Jaime Thompson, 75), Ella Kelly (Katie O'Reilly, 71).
Shelbourne: Amanda McQuillan; Jessica Gargan, Keeva Keenan (Leah Doyle, 61), Pearl Slattery; Rachel Graham (Jemma Quinn, 71), Christie Gray (Lucy O'Rourke, 61), Alex Kavanagh (Hannah Healy, 61), Noelle Murray, Maggie Pierce, Megan Smyth-Lynch; Kate Mooney (Rebecca Devereux, 71).
Booked: Keeva Keenan (53), Noelle Murray (74).
Referee: Alan Patchell.
Attendance: 910.
extratime.com Player of the Match: Stephanie Zambra (Shamrock Rovers).
