2 v 1 
Cork City0-1 | 1' Becky Cassin | |
| Becky Cassin 45' | 1-1 | |
| 65' Orlaith Deasy | ||
| 68' Christina Dring | ||
| Megan Smyth-Lynch 87' | 2-1 |
Video
Details
| Date | Time | League | Season |
|---|---|---|---|
| 1 October 2022 | 2:00 pm | LOI Women's Premier Division | 2022 |
Match Report
Shels strike late to beat Cork and keep title challenge alive
Substitute Megan Smyth-Lynch was the hero as Shelbourne were 2-1 winners over a competitive Cork City at Tolka Park.
Needing a win to stay in the race, Shelbourne made a fast start to the game and were nearly ahead after forty-five seconds when Leah Doyle had a goal disallowed for offside.
City settled thereafter and gained the ascendancy with Christina Dring looking particularly threatening with her pace causing problems for the Shels defence. The City striker hit the bar after 13 minutes when through one on one with Courtney Maguire.
Indeed, it was the visitors who got the breakthrough in the 24th minute when Becky Cassin scored from a penalty after Leah Doyle pushed Zara Foley inside the box.
Shels responded well and forced a couple of excellent saves from Noelle Murray and Abbie Larkin.
Heroics from one goalkeeper led to another piece of brilliance as Maguire did just about enough to put off Dring at her near post for what should have been City’s second goal.
The hosts finished strongly after that scare and drew level on the stroke of half time when Cassin put the ball in her own net from a dangerous corner from Alex Kavanagh.
Despite a sloppy first half from Shels with Cork being the better side, the hosts started better after the break. Once again, however, they were outdone by the offside trap when Murray’s goal was ruled out in the 56th minute.
It continued to be one way traffic as the half progressed with Shels laying siege to the Cork goal as a stubborn City defence hung on. Murray had the best of the chances but fired over from close range.
The visitors did come back into the game in the final twenty minutes but were reliant on set-pieces to create chances.
Both teams felt they could win the game in the final ten minutes as the energy picked up. While
Shelbourne dominated possession, City looked just as threatening on the break.
In the end it was the hosts that would get the elusive goal as Megan Smyth-Lynch struck a wonderful effort in the 87th minute to make it 2-1 although Dring nearly snuck an equaliser in the dying moments in an entertaining finale.
Timeline
| 1' | Becky Cassin | |
| 45' | Becky Cassin | |
| Emma Starr Megan Smyth-Lynch |
47' | |
| Lia O'Leary Jemma Quinn |
47' | |
| 65' | 11. Orlaith Deasy | |
| 68' | 9. Christina Dring | |
| 68' | Kelly Leahy Nadine Seward |
|
| 76' | Lauren Singleton Nathalie O'Brien |
|
| 11. Megan Smyth-Lynch | 87' |
Past Meetings
Ground
| Tolka Park |
|---|
| Tolka Park (Shelbourne FC), Drumcondra South A ED, Dublin, County Dublin, Leinster, Ireland |
Sam Curtin
Sam is an avid sports enthusiast who has been working in journalism since he was 16. Along with his work, he also plays tennis and is a Government and Political Science student at UCC. Most importantly of all however is that he's from Cork.
Full-time and Shelbourne edge it 2-1 in what was a sloppy enough performance. Credit must go to City however who were very good in parts today and probably deserved a draw.
Dring had a glorious chance moments ago to level for City. A great save from Maguire denies her.
4 added minutes at the end of the game.
Megan Lynch puts Shels ahead, she did really well to win the ball before creating space for a well hit strike. 2-1.
Ellie O'Brien on for Lauren Singleton for Cork.
Finally a bit of sustained pressure in the second half from City as they win a corner but the ball is safely cleared.
One of Quinn and Larkin should have scored there as Shels continue to lay siege on the Cork goal.
Dring booked for City for a tackle on Alex Kavanagh.
First City change, Kelly Leahy replaced by Nadine Seward.
City's Orla Deasy is booked for a rash tackle.
Shels beginning to take over here as we hit the hour mark, City holding on.
Noelle Murray scores for Shels but once again they fall foul to the offside trap.
Close call for Shels who had a huge overlap in the City half but the official calls for offside.
Shels make subs as Lia O'Leary and Emma Starr are off for Gemma Quinn and Megan Smith Lynch.
Back underway.
Half time with the sides level at 1-1. City have been very impressive so far but Shels have stayed in the game and probably deserve to be level.
Shels level as Cassin puts the ball in her own net from a dangerous Alex Kavanagh cross. Right on the stroke of half time aswell.
Dring should have doubled City's lead there. Once again she manages to get in behind the Shels defence, but Maguire does just enough to put her off.
Good save by McCarthy again to deny Abbie Larkin but Shels are beginning to turn the screw.
Cork goalkeeper Abby McCarthy does really well to snuff out a dangerous Noelle Murray corner.
Becky Cassin smashes home past Courtney Maguire to give Cork a deserved 1-0 lead.
Penalty for City as Leah Doyle fouls Zara Foley in the box.
City causing a lot of problems for Shels defensively, they appear to have no problem pressing high up the pitch and there passing has been very crisp.
Christina Dring should have put Cork ahead moments ago after getting in behind the Shels defence but fires her shot off the bar after being one on one with the goalkeeper.
City have done well to take the sting out of the game in the last few minutes and have looked to have settled.
Fast start here by Shelbourne, Abby Larkin in particular has been very dangerous already.
Shelbourne have the ball in the net through Leah Doyle after only 45 seconds but its ruled out for offside.
Underway.
Teams out onto the pitch.
Hello and welcome to live updates of Shelbourne v Cork City in the WNL. Kick off at Tolka Park is at 2 with team news on the way shortly.