Farrell is frustrated by City’s poor start
SOCCER
Daire Walsh
CORK CITY WFC boss Paul Farrell was left to lament a poor start by his side against Peamount United in Greenogue last Saturday evening as the Leesiders slumped to their heaviest defeat of the season in the Women’s National League.
Following a host of individual errors on their part, City found themselves five goals adrift at the end of the opening quarter in their final away game of the year.
The visitors were eventually on the receiving end of an 8-1 reversal, with teenage striker Laura Shine grabbing their only score of the contest.
“It was probably the worst 20 minutes we ever had. It was definitely an opening to a game that we want to forget about, but we’ve got to learn from it as well.
“They regrouped in the second half and they put in a better performance, but by no means is that a good enough performance across the board,” Farrell acknowledged.
Despite losing 5-0 at home to James O’Callaghan’s charges back in July, City were seemingly in high spirits ahead of this game.
Wexford Youths have been one of the main challengers to Peamount in this year’s WNL and the Slaneysiders were forced to work hard for a 1-0 victory over Cork at Turner’s Cross on 16 October.
Farrell and his coaching staff had a plan in place to curb the holders’ latest march towards a league crown, but an early blitz from the hosts immediately altered their approach.
“It was a good week of training. You’re coming up, not with a confidence or anything, but you’re definitely going into the game saying we can put a good game on here.
“After that first 10 minutes, you’re trying to keep them out.
“Then you’re going to Plan B, you’re going to Plan C and you’re going to Plan D. It was very quick to get to those plans, whereas usually they come in the second half.”
As deflating as this result could be, Farrell is grateful that his troops have another game to look forward to before their campaign draws to a close. City welcome provincial rivals Treaty United to Turner’s Cross next Saturday (kick-off 2pm) and he sees this as a perfect opportunity to address some of the issues that led to their downfall at the weekend.
“We’re kind of glad after a performance like that, that you have another game. Because at least then you can try and rectify a lot of the wrongs. It’s a Munster derby.
“If you can’t get up for a Munster derby, you shouldn’t be playing in it,” Farrell added.