WNL: Athlone 2-2 CCFC

Cork City and Athlone played out a 2-2 draw at the Athlone Town Stadium in the SSE Airtricity Women’s National League on Saturday. Cork City got off to the ideal start an early attack down the right wing by Laura Shine led to a City corner, Eabha O’Mahony’s corner found Becky Cassin on the far post and she headed it home to give City an early 1-0 lead. After that frantic opening the game settled into a pattern where City had much of the possession of the ball but struggled to create a clear cut chance. As the half went on Athlone came more into the match and came close to the equaliser in the 40^th minute with an effort from the edge of the box that went just over. They got the equaliser in injury time after they were awarded a penalty, which Athlone scored and the first half finished 1-1. The second half began with Athlone having the advantage nearly taking the lead in the 50^th minute when an Athlone free kick was headed towards the City goal which required an excellent save from Abby McCarthy to stop. City took the lead again in the 62^nd minute, a ball forward from Lauren Walsh reached Laura Shine who passed it forward into space for Christina Dring who finished coolly to give City a 2-1 lead. Athlone pushed for an equaliser and nearly had it in the 70^th minute when Athlone were awarded an indirect free kick inside the penalty area for a pass back, the effort had took a fine save from Abby McCarthy to tip it onto the crossbar. Athlone did find the equaliser in the 82^nd minute with a free kick which struck the crossbar and fell into the path of Emma Donoghue who put it away and the game finished 2-2. City are back in action at Turner’s Cross next Saturday 8^th of May as they host Wexford Youths in the SSE Airtricity Women’s National League with a 2pm kick off. Cork City: Abby McCarthy, Lauren Walsh, Danielle Burke, Ciara McNamara, Lauren Singleton, Eabha O’Mahony, Becky Cassin, Eva Mangan (Katie McCarthy 75’), Lauren Egbuloniu, Laura Shine, Christina Dring