Cork Women's FC 2 - 1 Shamrock Rovers

A goal in either half ensured Cork Women’s FC got off to the perfect start in the Bus Éireann Women’s National League.

Playing in their new home at Turner’s Cross, Maurice Farrell’s side started brightly, with the attacking trio of Denise O’Sullivan, Lynsey McKey and Claudia Hudner particularly lively.

After missing a number of chances Cork were in front in the 13^th minute after a sweeping move which finished with McKey finding the net.

O’Sullivan spread the ball left to Amy McCarthy who returned the ball to O’Sullivan on the edge of the area and she teed up McKey, who curled the ball beyond Bethany Huntsworth’s dive and into the top corner of the Shamrock Rovers goal.

Zara Dillon went close with a free kick from distance in the 23^rd minute, before Cork quickly moved the ball to the other end of the field where Amy McCarthy set up McKey on the edge of the area, however her first time effort also missed the target.

Shamrock Rovers enjoyed their best spell of the game either side of half time and would have scored in the 34^th minute but for a brilliant save by Trisha Fennelly after Rachel Jenkins got on the end of Dillon’s corner and fired an effort towards the bottom corner, which Fennelly got a hand to and turned around the post.

A minute later Jenkins was in again, this time firing narrowly over from inside the box.

Early in the second half Dillon’s free kick crashed off the bar before being cleared to safety as Shamrock Rovers began to gain more control of the game.

However, Cork were still a threat on the break and had two good chances in the 51^st minute.

First Hudner forced Huntsworth into an important save after good work from Amy McCarthy and within seconds Cork were threatening again when Sarah O’Donovan released Hudner on the left and her cross to the back post picked out McKey but her first time strike went over the bar.

Rovers eventually got their reward on the hour mark after a good move ended with Aoife Moloney playing Jenkins in behind the Cork defence and the striker clinically finished into the bottom corner to level the game.

Eight minutes later Moloney had an effort of her own which went narrowly wide before Cork, with Denise O’Sullivan to the fore began to impose themselves on the game again.

O’Donovan picked out Hudner on the right wing in the 70^th minute and she immediately played the ball to O’Sullivan on the edge of the area. O’Sullivan squared to Katie McCarthy, who curled the ball around Huntsworth but the effort came back off the post.

Emma Farmer headed over from a corner two minutes later before substitute Vicky McMahon started a move in the 74^th minute which resulted in Cork retaking the lead.

The winger picked out O’Sullivan who skipped past the last defender before pulling the ball back to McKey who steered the ball into the back of the net to restore Cork’s lead.

Cork had a number of chances late on including two which were cleared off the line and despite not adding to their tally they were soon celebrating their first victory at Turner’s Cross

Cork Women’s Fc: Trisha Fennelly, Orla Barry, Lauren Murphy, Angie Carry, Emma Farmer, Sarah O’Donovan, Amy McCarthy, Katie McCarthy, Lynsey McKey, Denise O’Sullivan, Claudia Hunter.
Subs: Rachel Mullins, Vicky McMahon

Shamrock Rovers: Bethany Huntsworth, Niamh Nolan, Aisling Cusack, Lyndsey Hayden, Zara Dillon, Amy Phelan, Rachel Jenkins, Grainne Walsh, Amy Kelly, Sabrina Hughes, Jessica Dillon.
Subs: Orlagh Nolan, Joanne Ennis, Aoife Moloney, Emma Murphy, Paula Nolan, Michelle Dunne.