WNL: Athlone 2-0 CCFC

Cork City fell to a 2-0 defeat against Athlone Town in their latest SSE Airtricity Women’s National League game at the Athlone Town Stadium on Saturday.

The opening to the first half was a quiet affair with Athlone having most of the possession and territory without putting the City defence under any real pressure. City nearly took the lead in the 14^th minute as a City corner was headed down by Becky Cassin to Ciara McNamara but she was unable to keep her effort on target as it went just over the bar.

The hosts took the lead in the 35^th minute as Louise O’Aodha struck from distance to make it 1-0. They added a second in injury time of the first half as Roisin Molloy leapt on a loose ball in City’s half worked her way to the edge of the box and put it away to give the hosts a 2-0 half time lead.

City came out in the second half seeking to get back into the game, in the 52^nd minute Laura Shine picked out Christina Dring in the penalty area but her shot was blocked and cleared by a resolute Athlone Defence. Shine herself came close in the 57^th minute as she struck a shot from distance well saved by the Athlone goalkeeper.

Shaunagh McCarthy found Shine in the box in the 65^th minute but her effort was blocked. The two combined again in the 69^th minute as McCarthy picked out Shine at the far post but her headed effort went just wide of the goal. City continued to press for a way back into the game but the Athlone defence held firm and the game finished 2-0 to the hosts.

Cork City are back in SSE Airtricity Women’s National League action on the 16^th of October as they host Wexford Youths at Turner’s Cross with a 2pm kick off.

Cork City: Abby McCarthy, Nathalie O’Brien (Kate O’Donovan 75’), Tiffany Taylor, Ciara McNamara (Riona Crowley 67’), Danielle Burke (Sarah McKevitt 45’), Lauren Singleton (Lauren Walsh 45’), Becky Cassin, Eva Mangan, Christina Dring, Shaunagh McCarthy, Laura Shine.