0 v 1 
ShelbourneVideo
Details
| Date | Time | League | Season |
|---|---|---|---|
| 18 August 2022 | 4:30 pm | UEFA Women's Champions League | 2022/23 |
Match Report
Heather O’Reilly stars and strikes for Shelbourne to beat Pomurje 1-0 and put the Reds into the Round 1 Final of the Uefa Women's Champions League on Sunday. They will face Valur of Iceland in Slovenia. The World Cup and Olympic medal winner wrote another chapter in her illustrious career when she got on the scoresheet with a header from close range just four minutes in. It took just seconds for the opening chance of the game. Shelbourne were awarded a penalty after an incident in the box that saw Dimitrijević foul and pick up a card. Noelle Murray stepped up but saw her effort towards the bottom left corner saved by the keeper. Shels kept the pressure on and after a couple of successive corners, they finally got the breakthrough. Keenan crossed in from the left and a failed clearance from Pomurje saw the ball loop up and none other than Heather O’Reilly was on hand to head back across the keeper from 12 yards and find the side netting to give the Reds a dream start. The opening half hour of the game was frantic, with both sides playing open attacking football. Jemma Quinn was causing havoc for the home side’s defence everytime she got forward and Noelle Murray saw her effort from range cannon off the bar. The home side created chances of their own too. Korošec and Makovec came close whilst Budden would’ve been relieved not to concede just after the half-hour mark as a goal line scramble could’ve gone anywhere but found its way back into her hands safely. Pomurje had the better of the chances toward the end of the half. Amanda Budden was equal to everything though and pulled off a number of great saves to make sure her side took a narrow 1-0 lead into the break. The conditions really took hold of the game in the second half. There was a real lack of intensity apart from in the 36 degree heat as both sides struggled to produce the energy levels of a frantic first half. The hosts did have the majority of the ball as Shels naturally fell back into their shape to protect their lead. Pomurje didn’t create much until the 76th minute when a low cross ended up at the feet of sub Zajmi, and her shot was driven low and hard but once more, Amanda Budden was on hand to deny. Shels used all their experience in game management as they ran the clock down with great effect in the final minutes to secure a memorable victory in the Champions League. Another great step for women’s football in Ireland. Amanda Budden was an absolute brick wall in net for the Reds and produced a world-class performance worthy of the biggest stage and was easily my player of the match.Heather O’Reilly stars as Shelbourne get memorable Champions League victory
Timeline
| 7. Heather O'Reilly | 4' | |
| 5. Emma Starr | 40' | |
| Jessica Gargan Leah Doyle | 45' | |
| Heather O'Reilly Abbie Larkin | 52' | |
| 5. Leah Doyle | 70' | |
| Rachel Graham Alex Kavanagh | 72' | |
| 10. Noelle Murray | 80' | |
| Noelle Murray Lia O'Leary | 80' | |
| Jemma Quinn Megan Smyth-Lynch | 81' | |
| 4. Shauna Fox | 84' |
Ground
| Fazanerija City Stadium |
|---|
| Na tratah, Ptuj, 2250, Slovenia |
Samuel Mansfield
26-year-old TV, Radio, and New Media graduate from MTU Kerry based in the Kingdom with a passion for a variety of sports.
FULL TIME! Shelbourne have done it. A historic 1-0 win over Pomurje in Slovenia to advance into the Round 1 Final on Sunday.
Makovec with a half chance for Pomurje that sails wide. Shels in touching distance now...
Shels doing an excellent job of running the clock here, just 150 seconds to survive.
Noel King is booked. Everyone gets a yellow today!
Seven minutes added on at the end of regulation.
Shauna Fox booked.
Hofman replaced Horvat for the hosts.
O'Leary replaces Murray who is booked for not leaving the field fast enough. Quinn replaced by Smith-Lynch also.
AMANDA BUDDEN TAKE A BOW. Another incredible close-range save with her legs to deny sub Zajmi with what looked like a certain equalizer!
Coming into the final 15 mins, can Pomurje get back into this or will Shels hold out for a memorable victory...
Horvat is booked for the hosts. A stonewall yellow card for a pullback on Murray.
Change on each side. Zajmi replaces Rakovec. Alex Kavanagh replaces Rachel Graham.
Leah Doyle is booked for a cynical foul.
Yoshida is replaced by Vilčnik, the first home change.
Budden makes her billionth save of the game, Korošec denied from the corner of the box this time.
Jemma Quinn with the first Shels chance of the half, her shot is blocked resulting in a corner.
The hosts are now piling on the pressure to get back level. The Reds are being pinned back so far in the second half.
Heather O'Reilly is replaced by Abbie Larkin
Keeva Keenan clattered a Pomurje forward, promptly stopping the attack. The hosts have a free kick at the edge of the box. Budden saves again!
Leah Doyle replaces Gargan at the start of the second half.
Half time in Slovenia and the Reds lead 1-0 at the break thanks to O'Reilly's looping header.
Gargan is down once more and unfortunately will be replaced after the break it seems.
Budden makes ANOTHER BIG SAVE! Makovec from close range this time is denied by Amanda Budden, who has had an incredible half.
Budden makes yet another save. This time a tab bid easier due to a deflection. Horvat is looking lively for the Slovenians though.
Four minutes additional time at the end of the half.
Gargan is able to walk to the side of the pitch and looks like she'll be able to continue remarkably!
Jessica Gargan is down with a lower leg injury, doesn't look too promising.
Budden makes another great save, this time diving backward to prevent Horvat.
Emma Starr picked up a booking for maybe remonstrating with the Ref after the home side had another penalty shout turned away.
Action is back underway in the 36-degree heat in Slovenia.
Both sides have a chance to catch their breath now with the drinks break.
Absolutely no idea how the hosts have not just equalised. Budden grabs the ball and cradles with relief after multiple deflections on the line that could've easily gone in.
Jemma Quinn is causing hassle for the Pomurje backline every time she gets forward. Her teammates need to pick her out more.
Korošec shoots from range and it just whistled past the post. The game finally begging to settle down after a chaotic start.
The hosts have a corner as we cross over the 20 min mark.
Makovec strikes the bar off her right foot from 10 yards out. Budden seemed to have it covered.
Wow, Stapleton bursts out from the back and is involved in a 3v3 opportunity. Her shot from the edge of the box was saved by Kocijan.
Makovec is booked for a tackle in the middle of the park on Shauna Fox.
Murray saw her deflected effort from range ricochet off the bar. Close to putting her side 2-0 up.
Budden makes a superb save down to her left after a shot from the edge of the box from Horvat. The hosts are coming into the game now.
GOAL HEATHER O'REILLY HEADS HOME FROM 12 YARDS TO GIVE SHELS THE LEAD!
Noelle Murray steps up to take in and sees it saved by Kocijan.
PENALTY TO SHELS! What a start. Just a minute in the Reds have a chance to take the lead.
Kick-off!
The teams are out and lined up for the anthem. Action about to get underway.
Fazanerija Stadium is the venue today, home of NS Mura. You might remember St Pats beating Mura on pens in the Conference League at this very ground a few weeks back. Here's hoping for more Irish success!
The teams are confirmed and are available in full in the lineups tab. Heather O'Reilly starts for the Reds, and everyone will be hoping her big game experience will prove vital to a major victory today.
Valur of Iceland beat Armenian side Hayasa this morning in Slovenia, so Shels now know they want to be facing Valur on Sunday in the Round 1 final and not be stuck with the third place playoff.
Good afternoon and welcome to the first round of the Uefa Women's Champions League. Shelbourne have travelled to Slovenia to take on Pomurje with the kickoff in roughly 40 minutes from now. My name is Sam and i'll be keeping you up to date with the action.