Different home venue - but same result for Cork City Women - another defeat this time to Shamrock Rovers

Cork City 1 

Shamrock Rovers 2 

Cork City Women suffered their fourth consecutive defeat in the Women’s Premier Division by going down 2-1 to Shamrock Rovers at St Colman’s Park, instead of their usual home of Turner’s Cross on Saturday afternoon and remain firmly rooted to the bottom of the table.

The Dubliners scored twice early on through Aine O’Gorman and Jamie Thompson, with Christina Dring pulling one back at the start of the second half.

There was no big finish despite Maria Reynolds seeing red for a second yellow card late on, as Rovers comfortably held on to take the three points.

This was the club’s second game in four days and just five players were retained from Wednesday’s 4-0 defeat to Athlone Town at Turner’s Cross.

Katie Irwin was one of those that started, and that was the academy graduate’s first appearance since her return to the club from Treaty United during the summer.

Shamrock Rovers tested the goalkeeper from the start and each time she stood up by making a string of excellent saves.

Their pressure paid off when O’Gorman got in and bundled over a long ball into the box from Mia Dodd in the 13th minute.

City were then forced into a change in the middle of the park with Amy McCarthy replacing Ellie O’Brien.

As this rejigged group settled, Thompson fired into the top left corner with a stunning strike from outside the box in the 24th minute.

City only created one chance, through Dring, and the striker failed to pull off a shot after getting around Summer Lawless.

The first half ended with a push for a third by Shamrock Rovers while the resident home side held firm.

The game restarted with Dring blocking down a Lawless clearance as she tried to get to a back pass from Reynolds. 

This allowed the striker to get in and make it 2-1 in the 48th minute at the Liam McMahon Stand.

The Hoops went back to commanding the play, with chances falling to Thompson and O’Gorman. City were quick to close down in those situations, while Irwin continued to impress in between the sticks.

The Rebel Army only got forward when space allowed, their issue was physicality as Aimee Neal and Reynolds were able to hold off the advances of Amy McCarthy as she tried pressing high.

City eventually went wide, with Eva Mangan delivering a deep cross into the box in the 74th minute. 

Lauren Homan was one of those that went for the ball but was unable to get a shot away as Rovers scrambled to clear their lines.

At the other end, Anna Butler saw a goal on the counter ruled out over a handball in the build-up.

The Rebel Army poured forward in search of an equaliser that was not to be as Rovers were able to see out the game with ease despite Reynolds getting sent off over a foul on Dring.

Cork City Women: Katie Irwin; Holly O’Hagan, Sadbh McGoldrick, Ciara McNamara, Shaunagh McCarthy, Ellie O’Brien, Sophia Redmond, Jodie Griffin, Lauren Homan, Eva Mangan, Christina Dring.

Subs: Amy McCarthy for O’Brien (21); Zoe Finnerty for O’Hagan (HT), Heidi Mackin for McNamara (65), Cliodhna Malone for Griffin (76).

Shamrock Rovers: Summer Lawless; Abbie Brophy, Maria Reynolds, Aimee Neal, Mia Dodd, Melissa O’Kane, Katie O’Reilly, Taylor White, Aine O’Gorman, Katie O’Reilly, Jamie Thompson.

Subs: Emily Corbet for O’Reilly (54); Anna Butler for Thompson (55).

Referee: Ian O’Keeffe