Dana Scheriff and Chloe Singleton struck to inflict Cork’s first defeat in three games, the former netting a fine brace to seal three points for Athlone Town in Bishopstown.

Scheriff scored early in the first half and despite Cork pressure, they came closest when Heidi O’Sullivan was denied by Katherine Hess, in for Katie Keane in Athlone’s goal.

Cork’s profligacy was punished as Singleton added a sweetly taken second and Scheriff leapt well from a corner, blasting a header home, as the Town continued their fine form, this their third consecutive league win.  

Substitute Fiana Bradley swept in a lovely right-footed strike late on, but it was to be a mere consolation for the spirited City.

Relocated to Bishopstown at late notice, the new venue still held recently fond memories for Cork, Heidi O’Sullivan’s early, fifth minute strike, earning them their first three points of the league season, here last week against Treaty United.

Athlone also had cheer, in the shape of again reaching the FAI Cup final and even with Cork’s colossal centre back, Ciara McNamara, failing a late fitness test, there was plenty of optimism around both camps coming into today’s fixture.

Seven minutes in and the high-flying visitors were soaring once more. 

Away captain, Chloe Singleton collected possession in the attacking third and drove purposefully down the left side of the penalty area, playing in forward, Dana Scheriff.

As Cork defenders backed off, Scheriff saw space to shoot and struck a superb arrowing shot into the top corner, beyond goalkeeper, Hannah Walsh’s reach.

Having also scored in the last meeting in April, a 2-0 Athlone win, Singleton was again proving a thorn in the side of Cork’s bid to make it three matches unbeaten.

Laura Shine was beavering away effectively alongside O’Sullivan up front as Cork sought a quick response, yet a mesmerising Madison Gibson dribble that came to nought, reminded them of Athlone’s counterattack potency.

Midway through the first half, and away keeper, Katherine Hess, was relieved to see a fierce free kick from Cork captain, Eva Mangan, whisk just over the crossbar with the hosts applying consistent pressure, so far thwarted by Jessi Rossman and co, the defender winning a pivotal footrace with Ellie O’Brien to deny a clear Cork opening.

Gibson then struck the post, ghosting in unmarked, as Walsh and her backline breathed a sigh of relief, that Athlone’s lead hadn’t been doubled.

Those misses didn’t deter the visitors who continued to pound forward, first, Scheriff went on a dazzling dribble only for brave goalkeeping by an advancing Walsh to deny it ending in a goal. 

Instantly after, Singleton swept just wide from the edge of the box, Cork living dangerously as the shelter of a potential half time reset edged into view.

Rejuvenated after the break, Cork penned their visitors in, and Hess flew into a fine stop to keep out O’Sullivan, the loose ball landing awkwardly for Christina Dring whose crisp connection was sweet but sailing just over the top.

Rossman again impressed defensively, making a perfectly timed tackle to block Shine’s shot, Athlone relishing the physical battle Cork were posing.

Stemming the tide, the Midlands outfit made a triple substitution just past the hour, but it was the combination of two starters who gave them the breathing room of a second goal.

Provider turned scorer, Singleton picked out the gliding Gibson on the left, the midfielder scurrying quickly to get on the end of her winger’s pinpoint pick-out, stabbing past Walsh from close range.

With the hosts still reeling, despite a triple switch of their own, from Singleton’s goal, Athlone soon put the game beyond doubt with twenty minutes remaining.

Straight from a corner, Singleton wafted the delivery in, and Scheriff scuffled her way into position, jumping high to plant a hearty header into the net, her third goal in two outings against Cork as the duo of scorers in the previous encounter this season, caused Cork problems once more.

Sprung from the bench, substitute, Bradley blasted a brilliant effort into the top corner to cut the deficit for City, some reward for all their attacking persistence.

Cork now have to wait a couple of weeks to finish off their season, hosting Shelbourne on the eleventh of November (6pm KO).

Athlone are back in action the week before, with their penultimate league match, welcoming Wexford Youths to the Midlands (7pm KO).