Mixed feelings for Kelleher following Shels draw
REACTION
Daire Walsh
FOLLOWING his side’s 1-1 draw with Shelbourne Ladies at Morton Stadium on Saturday, Cork City WFC manager Frank Kelleher had mixed feelings about the way the game panned out.
This was a fine result on paper for Cork in their opening game of the new domestic campaign, but when he considers the reigning champions cancelled out their early advantage with a 93rd-minute Jamie Finn equaliser, Kelleher did feel an element of disappointment.
“We knew we had a game plan coming into this game, we would play on the counter-attack. We know that Shels have fantastic quality, they’re the champions for a reason,” Kelleher remarked.
“Our game plan worked up until the 93rd minute. That’s football, though. I’m absolutely very happy with the draw, but I’m also disappointed we didn’t win 1-0, for sure.”
Amongst a number of fine performers, goalscorer Saoirse Noonan and shotstopper Amanda Budden produced standout displays for Cork.
Kelleher was impressed with their form on the night, and believes Ireland women’s national team coach Colin Bell should be considering them for selection.
“She [Noonan], for me, is just excelling as a footballer at the moment. Even her performance when Clare [Shine] went off, holding the ball up, working the back-four of Shels, pretty much on her own for a lot of the game. I think Colin Bell should be looking at her, that’s my honest opinion.
“Amanda gave a fantastic performance today. Her shot-stopping, her coming off her line, her kicking, her marshalling of the defence. All the elements were there. Again, maybe Colin should be looking at her!”
There was a concern for City in the first-half, when Shine was forced out of the action on her return game with the club. Kelleher revealed that her rib injury isn’t a serious one, though, and he is delighted to have the former Glasgow FC striker back in the ranks along with Stacey Paul.
“I think she got a very bad knock on the ribs, and lost her breath. In fairness to the staff, they looked after her very well. I want to thank the Shels staff for that. She’s fine in the dressing room.”
“Stacey [Paul] last year had a baby. She came back, has worked incredibly hard. We asked her to play a role for us today in the centre of defence, I thought she was fantastic. She hasn’t played there before. Clare is one of the best players, in my view, in the country. We’re delighted to have her with us this season,” Kelleher added.