Early UCD goal vital in narrow Cork defeat
WOMEN’S SOCCER
Daire Walsh
UCD WAVES………………………………………. 1
CORK CITY WFC…………………………………. 0
DEARBHAILE Beirne’s 17th-minute goal was the difference between the teams at Jackson Park yesterday afternoon, when Cork City WFC were defeated by UCD Waves in the Continental Tyres Women’s National League.
This is the second defeat of the 2017 campaign for Frank Kelleher’s side, but with Republic of Ireland senior women’s coach Colin Bell in attendance, there were a number of positives that the Leesiders can bring forward into their upcoming fixtures.
Cork were attempting to keep a tight rein on the UCD attack during the early stages of the contest, but after Lauren Kelly picked out Jetta Berrill with a delicate pass, the full-back’s subsequent cross was headed beyond the reach of City goalkeeper Amanda Budden by Beirne.
This was a significant set-back for City, but as the half developed, they started to offer more of a threat in the final-third. A powerful Saoirse Noonan shot from a right-hand angle produced a fine stop from UCD netminder Erica Turner, and a long-range effort by midfielder Evelyn Daly rebounded off the crossbar with four minutes remaining in the half.
Cork ultimately faced into a one-goal deficit at the midway point, but with Stacey Paul dropping into a deeper midfield role after the restart, they were aiming to increase the pressure on the UCD defence. The lively Beirne almost doubled the home team’s advantage on 51 minutes, but thanks to strong defensive work by skipper Ciara McNamara and Maggie Duncliffe, City remained in contention for a sharing of the spoils.
Katie McCarthy was off-target at the end of a well-worked team move, before the away side had their best opportunity of the game with 20 minutes remaining on the clock. Paul delivered an enticing ball into the area from the right-flank, and the onrushing Noonan volleyed just over.
This placed Noel Kealy’s charges on high alert in the final-quarter, and even though Julie Ann Russell hit the woodwork with thumping drives in the 74th and 84th minutes, Cork continued to press for an equaliser.
Noonan got herself into a shooting position at the end of normal time, but after her left-footed shot was deflected away from the goal, UCD eventually held out for all three points.
UCD WAVES: Erica Turner; Jetta Berrill, Emily Cahill, Claire Walsh, Katie Burdis; Karen Duggan, Orlagh Nolan; Lauren Kelly (Sinead Gaynor 70), Julie Ann Russell, Dearbhaile Beirne; Aine O’Gorman.
CORK CITY WFC: Amanda Budden; Danielle Burke, Maggie Duncliffe, Ciara McNamara, Natalie O’Brien; Evelyn Daly, Katie McCarthy; Tara O’Gorman (Ciara Desmond 76), Stacey Paul, Danielle Sheehy; Saoirse Noonan.