Cork City focus on league after loss in All-Island Cup

Cork City host Bohemians in the Women’s Premier Division this Saturday at Turner’s Cross, 5pm.

After a heavy loss away to Shels, the Rebel Army are also out to bounce back from last weekend’s 3-0 defeat to Peamount United in the Avenir Sports All-Island Cup.

That result issued a reminder about the scale of work that needs to be done for the club to be competitive and challenging for major honours.

Frank Kelleher fielded an experimental team for the cross border competition that involved seven U19s and an 18-year-old Niamh Cotter wearing the captain’s armband. The Rebel Army went for it in the second half by bringing on Eva Mangan and Keira Sena, and Peamount were able to soak up the pressure and protect their 1-0 lead.

The Dubliners got the three points on offer late on, with Ruby Gallagher and Mia McGonnell hitting the back of the net at the Shed End. City were left thinking about the gap, and the fitness of Cotter as the defender was forced off with an injury at the end of the first half.

Kelleher is now focusing on the Women’s Premier Division, which is the coach’s priority this year.

“The league for me is the number one competition and the one we want to try and pick points up,” Kelleher said.

If there’s three points on the board, that is a different scenario. 

"I look at this competition [Avenir Sports All-Island Cup] as a good competition but it is about giving players a chance to play so we can have a look at them. Three points against Bohs, that has to be our priority.” 

 The Gypsies will travel to Turner's Cross with a point to prove after losing to Cork City three times last season in two different competitions.

The league defeats were one thing; the loss in the Women's FAI Cup was the big one as the Rebel Army scored a dramatic winner in the dying seconds of extra time. Eva Mangan set that up for Barrett Edison, and a cool finish at the near post put City through to the semi-finals.

This year has been billed as a fresh start at Dalymount Park after Ken Kiernan stepped down as manager last November, and moved to Dundalk to work as Ciaran Kilduff’s assistant.

Alban Hysa stepped up from Bohemians U17s but the former Treaty United manager has enjoyed a tepid start to the season, with just one victory recorded.

That was against Wexford at Dalymount Park, and it was bookended by three defeats and a draw. The Gypsies most recent game was against Sligo Rovers in the All-Island Cup and they were held to a 1-1 draw at The Showgrounds.

This is a game City should be winning, as the club have enjoyed an unbeaten home record this year when playing with a full strength team, following victories over the Bit O’Red and Waterford.