Details

Date Time League Season
26 June 2021 2:00 pm LOI Women's Premier Division 2021

Match Report

Murray magic powers Shels win

Early signs suggested a landslide for Shelbourne at Tolka Park but Cork City keeper Maria O'Sullivan and the offside flag kept the scoreline to a single strike for Shels this afternoon.

The one-goal win means The Reds go into next weeks fixture against Peamount United level on points at the apex of the WNL, while Cork are still yet to earn a victory this season.

Noelle Murray’s first half wonderstrike was the only tally on the scoreboard throughout the entire game, but O’Sullivan did well to ensure no more goals entered her net and was arguable the player of the match.

Attacking and intense from the minute referee Daryl Carolan got the event underway, both groups weren’t afraid to pile forward in numbers towards goal.

Chances from Ciara Grant, Emily Whelan, Saoirse Noonan and Jessica Ziu were all prospects that led many to believe the result was wading in Shelbourne’s favour early on, but the inaugural goal only came 20 minutes in.

Definitely worth the wait, Noelle Murray’s screamer tilted over O’Sullivan and between the posts to send the home supporters in the ground to jubilation.

Many thought Noel King’s ladies were to march on from there but they failed to release a monsoon of goals and Cork done well to keep the floodgates firmly jammed at 1-0.

While City shored up at the back in the second half with their phenomenal keeper and good performances from Lauren Egbuloniu and Ciara McNamara, Shelbourne’s greatest opponent in this fixture was not that of the City attackers, but rather of the linesman’s flag.

Undoubtedly something for the home side to look at before next week’s crucial clash against the reigning champions, the ball powered into the net five times in total throughout the 90 minutes and added time, four of which were deemed offside and therefore ruled out.

The closing stages lost much of the vigour that was portrayed in the first half, but Cork have plenty of positives to bring home with them and Shels would have been happy to come away with the three points and another clean sheet for Amanda Budden.

Shelbourne

1Amanda Budden Goalkeeper
2Jessica Gargan Defender
3Jessie Stapleton Defender
4Pearl Slattery Defender
5Jamie Finn Midfielder
7Jessica Ziu Midfielder
8Rachel Graham Defender
9Emily Whelan Forward
10Noelle Murray 13 Forward 21'
11Saoirse Noonan 17 Forward
12Ciara Grant Midfielder
16Sophie Lenehan Goalkeeper
13Mia Dodd 10 Defender
19Leah Doyle Defender
21Taylor White Forward
17Rebecca Cooke 11 Midfielder
18Abbie Larkin Midfielder
17Rachel Baynes Defender
22Ella O’Connell Midfielder

Cork City

1Maria O’Sullivan Goalkeeper
4Ciara McNamara Defender
6Eabha O’Mahony Midfielder
7Lauren Egbuloniu Forward
11Sophie Liston 9 Forward
14Shaunagh McCarthy Defender
15Leah Murphy Forward
18Becky Cassin Midfielder
20Eva Mangan 25 Midfielder
23Sarah McKevitt Forward
24Lauren Walsh Defender
1Abby McCarthy Goalkeeper
3Danielle Burke Defender
8Kate O’Donovan Midfielder
9Christina Dring 11 Forward
17Riona Crowley Defender
21Nadine Seward Forward
22Kelly Leahy Midfielder
25Lauren Singleton 20 Defender

Timeline

10. Noelle Murray 21' 
  • All over in Tokla Park and it's Murray's first half strike that is the only tally on the scoreboard today. A 1-0 win for Shels as they play Peamount United next week in a crucial clash

  • 90'

    2 minutes added time announced by the referee and his officials. Doing in the box with a good chance for Cork but can't get it it in time

  • 88'

    Dodd's strike floats over the bar and since O'Sullivan got things back underway quickly Grant reclaims the ball off the free kick and racks up the second wide in succession

  • 88'

    Dodd's strike floats over the bar and since O'Sullivan got things back underway quickly Grant reclaims the ball off the free kick and racks up the second wide in succession

  • 84'

    Fourth goal ruled out for Shelbourne as they are said to be offside yet again. If Cork City are to come back Noel King's side will rue those very chances missed.

  • 83'

    Cork will be looking to nab an equaliser here in the closing minutes as while they still remain the minority side in possession terms they have sured up at the back and are creating half chances in attack

  • 82'

    Mangan off for Singleton

  • 75'

    Chance for Ziu but like many times in this game O\'Sullivan comes to the rescue to keep the ball out of the net

  • 73'

    Dring in for Liston who has played well in this second half for Cork

  • 72'

    Slattery slots a ball over the top to Cooke but it's too long and then Cork get on the counter. Liston hits it out over the enplane

  • 68'

    Shelbourne showing intent to try and put more scores on the board with this double sub. Noelle Murray off for Mia Dodd and Saoirse Noonan makes way for Cooke

  • 64'

    Chance! Header off the post from Slattery had everyone fooled it was in but City will be thankful it is still 1-0 in Tolka Park

  • 61'

    Half an hour left in this one and it has stagnated since halftime. Both managers have sent subs to warm up so we should expect some changes in the coming minutes. Shelbourne still 1-0 to the good.

  • 59'

    Whelan has a chance down City's side before O'Mahony test's Amanda Budden the other side of the pitch

  • 55'

    Neither team can really keep hold of the ball in the last five minutes. While both try to implement themselves much of the possession is remaining in the middle of the park

  • 50'

    Whelan attempts to chip chop around City's defence but can't break through.

  • 48'

    Ziu does well to hold possession before she taps the ball out to Noonan who pile drives the ball towards goal but it powers wide

  • 46'

    Daryl Carolan blows the whistle to initiate the second half and right from the get Shelbourne's Noonan gets a shot away but it's a brilliant save from O'Sullivan to keep the game at 1-0

  • The teams are back on the pitch and ready to get back into the thick of it

  • Halftime and it's 1-0 to Shelbourne against the away team Cork City! While in the opening half an hour Shels were overshadowing bottom of the table City Paul Farrell's side have grown into the game as it has progressed on

  • 44'

    Corner for City falls out to McKevitt who throws it back into Ciara McNamara and tries to head the ball in at the far post but it's futile

  • 39'

    Whelan and Shelbourne caught offside once again and presumably that will be a major talking point for Noel King's ladies when he gets a hold of them. After their utter domination of much of the first half The Reds are slipping and letting Cork gain confidence approaching the break.

  • 37'

    Cork playing themselves somewhat back into this game in the last few minutes, just can't get a grasp on that final ball

  • 30'

    Half an hour gone in this Tolka Park Shelbourne versus Cork City clash and it remains 1-0 in The Reds favour. Another goal ruled out due to offside which appears to be a real problem for Noel King\'s side. The home team will also be stymied they aren\'t further ahead as they have a real command on this game

  • 26'

    Another chance for Noonan against her old club is kept out by O'Sullivan.

  • 21'

    GOAL! Noelle Murray deservedly puts the hosts ahead from 30 yards out! Having spotted keeper O\\\'Sullivan was off her line she took advantage of the prospect to get the first goal of the game.

  • 19'

    Long range bid from Mangan drift over the bar as frustration builds in Tolka Park. Shelbourne failing to exploit on their opportunities so far as City look to make use of the ball on the counter

  • 15'

    Great save from O'Sullivan to hold the game all square with 15 minutes gone! Under siege in net by The Reds O'Sullivan is doing superb to keep the ball out of her net. Chances from Grant, Whelan, Noonan and Ziu have all been unsuccessful thus far and despite the lions share of the possession Shels are yet to capitalise.

  • 13'

    Teaming up with Noonan, Emily Whelan tries to put away her fourth goal of the season in chipping fashion but it doesn't quite come off.

  • 9'

    350 fans are cheering on the teams today in the stadium and wow could you hear them after Noonan thundered an effort towards goal but it dipped just over! Shelbourne looking really dangerous and the game is packed with fury and vigor.

  • 5'

    The shackles are off for both sides in Tolka Park with both ploughing forwards on attack. Shelbourne\'s Whelan and Ziu in particular seem keen to ignite chances

  • 3'

    Egbuloniu battles off Shels' defence and strikes a shot towards goal but it heads wide. Good work from Cork for their first opportunity of the day

  • 1'

    Jess Gargon flying up the right hand side to send a ball into the box but no one gets on the end of it and it goes out for a free kick. Shelbourne intense in these opening stages with all eyes for goal

  • Referee Daryl Carolan gets the game under way a few minutes early and Shelbourne are on the attack from the off!

  • Kick-off is just 15 minutes away (2pm) in Tolka Park where we await to see whether Shelbourne will go level with reigning champions Peamount or Cork cause upset and attain their first win of 2021.

  • Shelbourne's Amanda Budden has had absurd form lately in net. Picking up her fifth clean sheet in that last game before the international break, she now rests at the top of the golden glove race with a total of nine fixtures without conceding to her name this year. Surely we are set to see her feature yet again today...

  • While the teams are set to be announced shortly let's have a look back on their most recent fixtures. Shelbourne put five past a young Athlone Town with Jamie Finn, Ciara Grant, Saoirse Noonan, Rebecca Cooke and debutant Abbie Larkin all getting on the scoresheet. Also in series 10 Galway conquered Cork City 2-0 and while there have been flashes of brilliance in their attacking intentions with the likes of Becky Cassin and Sarah McKevitt poking away at goal, they have yet to turn their performances into impactful results.

  • Shels wrapped up the mid-season break in second place at 22 points, just three behind Peamount United who were the 2020 winners, while on the other side of the coin and the antithesis in terms of league position, the away side this afternoon have lost six of their nine games played and have only collected three points throughout the course of the campaign so far, with 12 goals scored.

  • Welcome to today's match commentary with me Alanna Cunnane! Just under an hour until kick off in Tolka Park where Shelbourne and Cork City face off in the return of the Women's National League after the mid season break.

Past Meetings

(Series 13)
2 - 1
LOI Men's First Division
Tolka Park

Shelbourne v Cork City

(Series 4)
1 - 3
LOI Men's First Division
Turner's Cross

Cork City v Shelbourne

(Series 2)
0 - 3
LOI Women's Premier Division
Turner's Cross

Cork City v Shelbourne

(Series 3 - Group 1)
4 - 0
LOI Women's Premier Division
Tolka Park

Shelbourne v Cork City

(Series 10)
1 - 1
LOI Men's Premier Division
Tolka Park

Shelbourne v Cork City

(Series 1)
3 - 1
LOI Women's Premier Division
Tolka Park

Shelbourne v Cork City

(Series 1)
0 - 1
LOI Men's Premier Division
Turner's Cross

Cork City v Shelbourne

(Round 17)
0 - 4
LOI Women's Premier Division
Turner's Cross

Cork City v Shelbourne

(Round 12)
5 - 0
LOI Women's Premier Division
Tolka Park

Shelbourne v Cork City

(Round 7)
2 - 7
LOI Women's Premier Division
Turner's Cross

Cork City v Shelbourne

(Round 19)
2 - 0
LOI Women's Premier Division
Tolka Park

Shelbourne v Cork City

(Round 11)
1 - 2
LOI Women's Premier Division
Turner's Cross

Cork City v Shelbourne

(Round 4)
4 - 0
LOI Women's Premier Division
Tolka Park

Shelbourne v Cork City

2 - 1
LOI Women's Premier Division
Tolka Park

Shelbourne v Cork City

2 - 4
LOI Women's Premier Division
Turner's Cross

Cork City v Shelbourne

1 - 1
LOI Women's Premier Division
Tolka Park

Shelbourne v Cork City

4 - 1
LOI Women's Premier Division
Tolka Park

Shelbourne v Cork City

0 - 3
LOI Women's Premier Division
Turner's Cross

Cork City v Shelbourne

5 - 1
LOI Women's Premier Division
Tolka Park

Shelbourne v Cork City

1 - 3
LOI Women's Premier Division
Turner's Cross

Cork City v Shelbourne

Ground

Tolka Park
Tolka Park (Shelbourne FC), Drumcondra South A ED, Dublin, County Dublin, Leinster, Ireland

Alanna is currently pursuing her studies in journalism at Dublin City University and writes regularly for her local media outlets in Sligo.