Fazanerija City Stadium

Slovenia v Belarus

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Apollon Ladies FC v Samegrelo

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NS Mura v Samegrelo

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Valur Reykjavík V Shelbourne

UWCL Report: FC Valur 3-0 Shelbourne FC

Shelbourne's European dream came to an end after they fell to a 3-0 defeat to Icelandic side Valur Reykjavík at Mestni stadion Fzaneriija in Slovenia this evening and knocked out of Champions League qualification.

This group one final of the first round of qualification for the European competition saw Shelbourne enjoy good periods of play throughout the game but Valur's class proved too much in the end.

The Icelander's American striker Cyera Hintzen opened scoring on 20 minutes while Sólveig Jóhannesdóttir doubled Valur's lead on the stroke of half-time.

A horror start to the second-half saw Valur charge at Shels and Leah Doyle deflect a dangerous cross into her own net within a minute of play restarting.

More to follow..........

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ZNK Pomurje v Shelbourne

Heather O’Reilly stars as Shelbourne get memorable Champions League victory

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.

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NŠ Mura v St. Pat’s Ath.

St Patricks Athletic advance on penalties to cement a memorable night for Irish in Europe

St. Patrick’s Athletic produced heroics as they advanced to the Europa Conference League Third Qualifying Round. With the game ending 0-0, extra time couldn’t separate the sides. Joe Anang saved a penalty and was immense. It went to sudden death and Tio Cipot blasted the ball over the bar and Pat’s could celebrate.

Both sides had chances including a penalty claim that was waved away for Mura in the 21st minute when Daku was fouled in the box. He was also lucky not to be sent off for simulation in the second half.

Dardan Shabanhaxhaj curled his shot just wide in the 18th minute while three minutes later Pat’s were fortunate not to give away a penalty when Harry Brockbank brought down Mirlind Daku.

In the 25th minute, Barry Cotter squandered a great chance to put Pat’s ahead but he headed over from close range. Down the other end, Daku brought a fine save out of Joe Anang. 

As the game went on it opened up more. Just before the half-hour mark, Adam O’Reilly hit a good strike but it went wide. 

Luka Bobičanec shot straight at Anang while Eoin Doyle had an effort but hit it straight at the keeper.

In the 38th minute, Daku got into a good position but hit the post with his shot. Pat’s started the second half very well. Forrester blasted over the bar and minutes later Klemen Pucko got a great header in to put the ball out for a corner with Cotter threatening. 

Billy King had a great chance in the 51st minute; Forrester played a lovely ball into him and King cut inside but his shot across the face of the goal just went inches wide in the 56th minute Daku was lucky not to be sent off. The forward went down in the box under the challenge of Brockbank. He had already been booked but the referee didn’t take any action.

Mura were reduced to 10 men in the 71st minute when Matic Marusko was sent off for an off-the-ball incident with Forrester. It appeared the Pat’s player struck out at the Mura sub. He had only been on the pitch eight minutes.

Joe Redmond with a great block on Daku’s shot in stoppage time. Anang brought off a great save at the start of extra-time as the home side tried to break the deadlock. The Pat’s keeper pulled off a superb save to deny Klepic minutes later. 

In the 101st minute, Serge Atakayi squandered a great opportunity; he decided to take the shot himself and it went just wide with Eoin Doyle in a great position. It went to penalties and the rest they say is history.

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