Details
Date | Time | League | Season |
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5 November 2021 | 7:45 pm | LOI Women's Premier Division | 2021 |
Match Report
Galway and Athlone tied in WNL
The WNL game between Galway WFC and Athlone Town finished all square in Eamonn Deacy Park this evening, a penalty and an own goal the only marks on the scorecard.
Kellie Brennan bagged a goal in the 20th minute to open the tally, with an own goal deflected off Chloe Flynn surfacing in the 69th.
While both sides pursued the all important winner, in an action packed affair; it never appeared meaning the fifth and seventh placed outfits both receive a share of the spoils.
The Tribeswomen dominated the opening exchanges, with captain and Irish international Savannah McCarthy to the fore of their efforts.
There she came to blows with Athlone Town maestro and powerhouse Muireann Devaney, the Leitrim woman often linking up with the in-form Roisin Molloy.
Brennan was the one to notch the first fatal strike however, a ball over the top delivered by Devaney seeing her win and convert her own spot kick.
The hosts had opportunities to equalise via Abbie Callanan, Julie Ann Russell and Lynsey McKey but the score remained tipped in The Town’s favour come the interval.
While arguably more skilful, Galway’s midfield was outworked by their Midlands opponents and even though they enjoyed the lion’s share of possession Athlone continued to hold tight in defence.
They only came undone twenty minutes from full time when a McKey shot was blocked by Abbiegayle Ronayne, the resulting corner yielding a ping pong scuffle around the box before ricocheting off Flynn and into the back of the net.
Nearing the conclusion tension ramped up in the ground but neither were able to capitalise on some superb passages of play to become ultimate victors.
Bohemians the only team to now split the duo in the table, the point benefits Athlone greatly in that they will now draw even with The Gypsies if they fall victim to Shelbourne tomorrow.
For Galway on the other hand it further cements their fifth accolade and turns a hopeful spin on one of their last games of the season.
Timeline
Past Meetings
(Series 17)
1 - 2LOI Women's Premier Division
Athlone Town Stadium Athlone Town v Galway WFC |
(Series 8)
3 - 4LOI Women's Premier Division
Eamonn Deacy Park Galway WFC v Athlone Town |
(Series 3)
3 - 0LOI Women's Premier Division
Eamonn Deacy Park Galway WFC v Athlone Town |
Ground
Eamonn Deacy Park |
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Eamonn Deacy Park, Dyke Road, Terryland, Menlough, Galway City, County Galway, Connacht, H91 ET6N, Ireland |
All over. 1-1 the final score
The injured Julie-Ann Russell off, Lynagh on as Corbet's shot is saved by the Galway keeper
Freekick for Athlone Town
Stoppage there for a minute as Russel received attention
2 minutes of additional time announced
Edging closer to the conclusion here tension has ramped up in the Galway ground
Callanan off, Donovan on for Galway
Great save from Roynayne to keep the score level
Corner Galway
Aisling Mahony on for Athlone, Kelsey Munroe off
Russel shot blocked by Flynn and its a Galway corner
Savannah McCarthy and Muireann Devany battle it out, two greats in the WNL meeting over the ball
McKey shot results in a corner. Ball in comes off defender Flynn and its 1-1.
Hennessy cuts the ball out from Costello
Calls for a handball on Munroe in Athlone's box which would have resulted in a penalty but referee says no
Russel and McKey do superb their for Galway and showcase their skills too
Ryan intercepts and plays in Corbet. She gets a shot off but its a weak one and collected by Cohen
Kate Slevin on, Elle O'Flaherty off
Emma Starr tries to pick up Callanan but its plucked out by Athlone's defence
Molloy throws an impressive ball into the box but its not picked up and Galway go on the break instead
Costello takes on a long range shot and while it dipped dangerously it goes out for a goal kick
Corbet on for O'hAodha
Cohen palms the attempt out for a corner kick
Freekick for Athlone Town on the edge of Galway's box. Kelsey Munroe lining it up
Molloy called for another tackle there as the Sligo woman comes in late
Owens sends O'hAodha in but Galway regain the ball and a Roisin Molloy foul sees a free kick out
McCarthy's shot blocked away on the line by Owens. Its been all Galway in the first few minutes of the second half
McCarthy makes a lot of ground there as she finds herself amongst her own strikeforce but no joy with further progression after that
The second half has started!
Halftime and it's 1-0 to Athlone going into the break
Athlone deep in Galway's part of the turf here. Molloy and Brennan causing plenty of headaches
A myriad of chances there for Galway as the ball ping ponged back and forth between their grass and the Athlone keeper, ends up in a kick out
Another corner for Galway, can they capitalise on this one?
Touch of class there from McKey to turn her player but the ball just drifts away from her
Cross for Galway, Brennan takes
Good play from Abbie Callanan culminates in a shot but it sails over the bar
Sustained attacking from Galway being witnessed now, Athlone holding up well so far however
Muireann Devaney really excelling for Athlone so far. She's been standout for the Midlands outfit and is popping up all over the pitch
Opportunity for Galway at the back post after a shot cross but its out over the crossbar
Flynn stamps out a Galway chance there and puts the ball out for a throw
Possession more evenly spread since the goal, Athlone growing in confidence with their one mark cushion
Freekick for Galway sees McCarthy get a head to the ball in Athlone's box but its out for a goal kick
Brennan converts her own penalty to give Athlone the lead. What a 19th birthday present for the talented footballer!
Goal kick for Galway
O'Kane to Brennan who releases a long range curling effort but its collected by Leah Hayes Cohen
High press serving Galway well as they regain possession in Athlone's half
Good battle raging between McCarthy, Brennan and Roisin Molloy
Galway keen to keep play in motion too, opting for the quick free kick too
Foul on Kelsie Munroe and Athlone take it quickly to go on the break and play Roisin Molloy in for a chance. Strike goes wayward however
Galway with most of the pressure on in the first seven minutes
Abbie Callanan with the shot there but its well blocked by Athlone's keeper
An energetic passage in the opening stages in Galway, both teams well up for it tonight
Underway in Galway!
5 minutes until kick off!
Galway's line up is in! We await Athlone's and will bring it to you as soon as it is available. 35 minutes until kick off
End of year awards looming too, Lynsey McKey and AFLW star Rachel Kearns sustain top scorers in Connacht, while Katelyn Keogh takes Athlone’s most frequent scorer’s accolade. Down the other side of the pitch Leah Hayes Cohen has four clean sheets racked up so far this season, with The Town’s Abbiegayle Roynane behind significantly with one. Stats and data aside however, all that will matter to the players this evening is the output and performance on the pitch along the River Corrib in County Galway.
Galway on the other hand fell victim to The Reds on the Tg4 stage, Abbie Larkin and Jessica Stapleton seeing them undone in Tolka Park.
They no doubt take confidence from their recent victory over Waves, scraping a 1-0 result thanks to a first half Roisin Molloy goal.
Last time out they snatched the triumph on a scoreline of 2-1 in Lissywoolen, Chloe Singleton and an Anna Fahey header getting the job done for them. Lucy Jane Grant bagged Athlone’s strike in that one and the visitors will aspire to go a goal or two better in today’s encounter.
Bohemians break up the two in the middle and as they face highflyers Shelbourne tomorrow this may be an ample opportunity for Athlone to leapfrog. While that possibility is out of the question for the Tribeswomen given they trail DLR by 11 marks, the victory would ode to a sweet conclusion to what has been a semi successful season for the Westerners.
The penultimate series of this year’s competition, every point counts as they strive for the best table position possible. The hosts tonight currently sit in fifth, with The Town in seventh and eight points in total between the duo. Tonight's match commentary is brought to you by Alanna Cunnane
Friday night football fans are in with a treat as unusually this evening there is Women’s National League action to feast on. Galway WFC and Athlone Town the involved parties, their battle at Eamonn Deacy Park is sure to be an exciting affair.