WNL: Treaty 1-2 CCFC

Cork City came out on top 2-1 in a tight Munster Derby against Treaty United at Jackman Park thanks to goals from Leah Murphy and Nathalie O’Brien in their latest SSE Airtricity Women’s National League game.

City got off to the perfect start, after a powerful Laura Shine effort from the edge of the box in the 3^rd minute was just pushed over the bar by the Treaty goalkeeper Sarah McKevitt took the subsequent corner which was headed home by Leah Murphy to give City an early 1-0 lead.

City controlled the early exchanges putting pressure on the hosts defence and came close to a second as Shaunagh McCarthy on the left wing put in a cross for Laura Shine who couldn’t apply the finish. Treaty however started to come into the game and forced Abby McCarthy into a good save to preserve their lead in the 13^th minute. Treaty however did find their equaliser in the 16^th minute as Jenna Slattery scored with a fabulous strike from 30 yards out to make it 1-1.

City pressed to retake the lead and came close to it in the 29^th minute as the hosts goalkeeper had to make a good punch clear to prevent the ball from reaching the head of the onrushing Ciara McNamara. Eva Mangan came agonisingly close with an effort from distance going just wide but the sides remained level at 1-1 going into the half time break.

Early into the second half in the 51^st minute City were awarded a penalty after a foul inside the box on Christina Dring. Nathalie O’Brien stepped up and sent the goalkeeper the wrong way putting into the bottom left corner of the net to give City a 2-1 lead. City came close to a third with Laura Shine making a good run into the box but her effort just to the left of the post. The hosts gradually took control of the match seeking an equaliser as the second half went on putting the City defence under pressure but struggled to create clear cut chances and City saw the game out to win 2-1. +

City are next in action on the 21^st of August as they visit Eamon Deacy Park to play Galway in the SSE Airtricity Women’s National League with a 2pm kick off.

Cork City: Abby McCarthy, Lauren Walsh, Danielle Burke (Kate O’Donovan 45’), Ciara McNamara, Nathalie O’Brien (Niamh O’Donoghue 67’), Eva Mangan, Leah Murphy, Shaunagh McCarthy, Laura Shine, Sarah McKevitt, Christina Dring