Galway WFC get no reward for fine display against league leaders

Galway WFC 1

Raheny United  2

Morale victories count for little in sport but on Sunday afternoon at Eamonn Deacy Park there was a huge appreciation of the performance of the home side as they put the Bus Éireann Women’s National League leaders and defending champions to the pin of their collar to depart with a victory.

The concession of two soft set-piece goals at the beginning of each half was a body blow, but they recovered well on each occasion and for the duration of the second half were the better side.

The game saw the introduction to two local newcomers, with seasoned senior international Meabh De Burca and U-17 International Eleanor Stafford making their debuts, and both played a crucial role in the overall performance.

The last thing the underdog needs in any game is to go behind early and just three minutes had elapsed when Katie McCabe swung in a corner that was only half cleared and from the edge of the box, a dribbler from Ciara Grant made it to the back of the net via a post for a 1-0 lead.

While the hosts couldn’t match their teamwork and cohesion, they put together a package that made life very difficult for the visitors and for the remainder of the half made it competitive. While Stafford ploughed a lone furrow up front, her link play was excellent and Lucy Hannon should have taken advantage of a flick on 44 minutes, but knocked her effort over an open goal.

Earlier, Ruth Fahy went down under a Slattery challenge in the box, but penalty claims were waved away; while Lisa Casserly later threatened twice without hitting the target.

Galway WFC had to line out without their absent leading scorer Sinead Taylor, but her replacement Stafford proved her worth with the equaliser on 49 minutes. A De Burca free kick caused chaos in the visitors’ rearguard, and the new striker took full advantage to finish from close range and tie up matters at 1-1.

Raheny made it 2-1 on 59 minutes against the run of play. Again, a set-piece provided the assist as Sinead O’Farrelly delivered a free kick from half-way, but while the ball was headed clear, home custodian Melissa Casserly had left her line and was exposed as Siobhan Killeen cracked the rebound into an empty net.

Manager Nigel Keady freshened up his side with the introduction of Susie Cunningham and Shauna Fox.  De Burca relocated from right full to central midfield, while Cunningham joined Stafford up front in a 4-4-2 formation and for the remainder of the contest they tore into Raheny.

A goal-line clearance by Shauna Newman in the 75th minute frustrated Stafford after she got the better of ‘keeper Burke at the second attempt. From the resulting Hannon corner, Cunningham struck the post, before the goalmouth scramble was eventually cleared.

The visitors also struck timber, when the home rearguard were caught sleeping as the unmarked Newman picked up a McCabe corner outside the box, but a cracking strike rebounded off the far post. While Murray fired over and Casserly saved from Killeen, the visitors were not allowed to be their usual dominant selves.

The home side continued to force the pace, as Ruth Fahy fired wide, while Stafford could not direct a Hannon corner on target. Burke raced off her line to take a De Burca through ball off the toes of Stafford, before Cunningham and Hannon had efforts blocked in a crowded box.