WNL: Shelbourne 1-0 City

Cork City fell to 1-0 defeat after a close game at Tolka Park in their latest SSE Airtricity Women’s National League game on Saturday.

City had the first real opportunity with Lauren Egbuloniu having a shot from the corner of the penalty area which was just off target. Shelbourne quickly started to assert themselves in the game as Jessica Ziu came close as she was sent through on goal but City keeper Maria O’Sullivan was alert to the danger intercepting the ball.

Shelbourne continued to press City’s defence with Maria O’Sullivan forced into a good save to deny Ciara Grant in the 15^th minute. The hosts got the breakthrough goal in the 22^nd minute as Noelle Murray struck from distance with a spectacular strike to give them a 1-0 lead.

Shelbourne pressed for a second goal and came close in the 29^th minute as Saoirse Noonan attempted to find the top corner of the net but was denied by a fine save from Maria O’Sullivan who managed to tip it over the bar. City despite being under pressure for much of the first half came agonisingly close to equalising in the 45^th minute as a Sarah McKevitt cross found Ciara McNamara who headed it just over the bar and the half finished 1-0 to the hosts.

Shelbourne started the second half the stronger of the sides with Noonan and Emily Whelan both coming close but as the half went on City began to exert more influence on the game looking for the equaliser with Eabha O’Mahony coming very close with an effort which was just tipped over the bar in the 60^th minute and shortly after Eva Mangan forced another save from Budden.

While City continued to press for the equaliser a stubborn Shelbourne defence stopped much in the way of clear cut chances but again City came close to getting a share of the points in injury time as Lauren Egbuloniu sent in a cross from the right wing but Dring just missed the header and the game finished 1-0 to Shelbourne.

City are back in action at Turners Cross next Saturday 3^rd of July as they host Bohemians in the SSE Airtricity Women’s National League with a 2pm kick off.

Cork City: Maria O’Sullivan; Leah Murphy, Lauren Walsh, Ciara McNamara, Shaunagh McCarthy; Eva Mangan (Lauren Singleton 82), Becky Cassin, Eabha O’Mahony; Sophie Liston (Christina Dring 73), Sara McKevitt, Lauren Egbuloniu.