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WLOI round-up: Shels go top after hard-earned win at Cork City

Updated / Saturday, 2 Aug 2025 21:54
Aoibheann Clancy was on the spot for Sels
Aoibheann Clancy was on the spot for Sels

Shelbourne jumped to the top of the SSE Airtricity Women's Premier Division on goal difference with a 2-0 victory over Cork City at Turner’s Cross.

Without player of the month Kate Mooney due to injury, their American striker Mackenzie Anthony made it two goals in two games before Aoibheann Clancy ensured the spoils with a late penalty.

City gave them a stern examination throughout, hitting the post with a late attempt at an equaliser. Although it should be noted that Shels were twice denied by the woodwork.

The Dubliners’ +33 goal difference is five better than second-placed Athlone Town.

City, meanwhile, dropped to the foot of the table due to Sligo Rovers’ victory over Waterford.

The hosts made three changes as they sought to mirror the men's breakthrough in achieving a first win since April.

There was a debut for inter-county Gaelic footballer Sadbh McGoldrick, a full debut for Holly O’Hagan, and a first start for Aoife Cronin since re-signing for the club.

Shels boss Eoin Wearen opted for four switches after their penalty shoot-out exit from the All-Island Cup. He drafted in Mia Hannon, Lucy O’Rourke, Clancy, and Rebecca Devereux.

It was all Shels in the first half, although City could claim to be unlucky to go in behind. Alex Kavanagh nodded an early chance off the post, before being called back for offside.

Leah Doyle got in down the left only for the slightest of touches from Clodagh Fitzgerald to turn her shot just past the post.

The 17-year-old keeper produced a more routine save from Clancy, while Anthony and Kavanagh, after some great footwork, flashed attempts wide. Shels broke through in the 32nd minute from a half-cleared corner.

Kavanagh returned the ball into the box, Anthony flicked it on, and when Jessica Gargan’s dink was miscontrolled by Shaunagh McCarthy, Anthony was on hand to tuck away her 10th league goal this season.City were almost level within three minutes.

Christina Dring and Eva Mangan combined brilliantly down the right before the latter launched a spectacular curler, which looked destined for the top corner until Amanda McQuillan’s fingertips intervened to turn it behind.

That kept Shels a goal ahead at the half-time whistle. The woodwork was struck three times after the break; twice by Shels and once by City.Anthony hit the butt of the post in the opening stages after Clancy had battled to regain possession.

Clancy was next to test the goal frame with a deflected strike that dipped viciously onto the crossbar. Substitute Jemma Quinn then arrowed in a dangerous first-touch header, which was well held by Fitzgerald.

City’s big chance came in the 68th minute when Amy McCarthy capitalised on an O’Rourke error. Ellie O’Brien exploited the overlap to feed Áine Walsh, who launched a shot onto the far post.

McCarthy floated the rebound just wide.It remained up for grabs until two minutes from time. McGoldrick had put in an impressive shift at the back, but was unfortunate to bring down Megan Smyth-Lynch in the box for a penalty. Clancy stepped up to fire home.

Cork City: Clodagh Fitzgerald; Holly O’Hagan (Lauren Healy 88), Sadbh McGoldrick, Heidi Mackin, Shaunagh McCarthy; Lauren Homan, Aoife Cronin; Eva Mangan, Ellie O’Brien (Jodie Griffin 76), Áine Walsh (Sophia Redmond 76); Christina Dring (Amy McCarthy 57).

Shelbourne: Amanda McQuillan; Nia Hannon, Pearl Slattery, Lucy O’Rourke (Maeve Wollmer 73); Jessica Gargan, Aoibheann Clancy, Rachel Graham (Megan Smyth-Lynch 73), Alex Kavanagh (Gabriella Del Pico 88), Leah Doyle; Rebecca Devereux (Jemma Quinn 64), Mackenzie Anthony.

Referee: Paudie Hayes (Clare).

Katie McCarn helped herself to a hat-trick as Bohemians recorded a 5-2 victory away at DLR Waves.

Such a goal-fest looked unlikely after 44 goalless minutes, but the away side hit the front seconds before the break.

Bohs showed great desire to win the ball back in the middle of the park before good work from Fiona Donnelly down the left saw her low cross turned against the post by Alannah McEvoy and back at the feet of Sarah Power who was left with the simplest of finishes.

DLR Waves were back on terms at the start of the second half as Bohs made an absolute mess of trying to clear a ball into the box – Amber Cosgrove credited with the goal – but Bohs were quickly back in front through McCarn as she put the finishing touches on a superb team passing move.

McCarn all but sealed the points in the 82nd minute and Savannah Kane quickly added a fourth.

Substitute Amber Cullen did pull one back for the waves minutes from the end, but there was still time for McCarn to complete here hat-trick.

Sligo Rovers moved off the foot of the table after a 2-0 win away win in Waterford.

Sligo had only one league win going into the game, but they were helped by a 29th minute red card to Waterford's Stephanie Dumevi.

They made the most of that numerical advantage to lead at the break with Emma Hansberry putting them ahead in the 37th minute with a long-range strike.

It got even better for the visitors in the 65th minute as Alana Doherty turned home a free-kick to secure a rare three points.

Shamrock Rovers fell to a 2-1 loss at Wexford.

Having hammered Waterford 7-1 in Stephanie Zambra's first game in charge as interim boss earlier this week, the Hoops looked like they'd keep that momentum going when Ella Kelly clipped home a clever finish with 32 minutes played.

However Becky Cassin scored a lovely leveller in the 66th minute, and Aoife Kelly completed the turnaround six mnutes later with a low finish from inside the box.

In the final game of the day, Galway United and Peamount United played out a 1-1 draw in tough conditions at Eamonn Deacy Park.

Eleanor Ryan-Doyle put the Peas in front with a nice header after 32 minutes.

However, in the teeming rain, mand Smith drilled home a 67th-minute equliser following a backheeled assist from Aoibhin Donnelly.

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