Galway WFC swamped in club’s debut league outing

UCD WAVES 3

GALWAY WFC 0

Daire Walsh at Jackson Park

DON O’Riordan’s tenure as Galway WFC supremo got underway at Jackson Park on Sunday afternoon but, inspite of the best efforts of his side, it was Republic Of Ireland International Julie-Ann Russell who helped to swing the outcome in favour of a star-studded UCD Waves outfit.

The former Salthill Devon starlet remains a popular figure in the county, but thanks to her sublime finishes in the 34th and 55th minutes respectively, she ensured that the south Dublin side were in a commanding position prior to Aine Gorman’s insurance goal 11 minutes from time.

The all-action winger (who was a summer arrival from perennial title challengers Peamount United) suffered a setback eight minutes from time when a second yellow-card brought an abrupt halt to her participation, but there was not enough time for the Tribeswomen to exploit their numerical advantage.

With eight wins from 21 fixtures in the 2013/14 WNL, there were plenty of positives for Galway to focus on ahead of the current campaign. The presence of former Galway United player and manager O’Riordan in the dug-out is also a welcome development, while in Meadbh de Burca, they have a player who is a key component of Sue Ronan’s national team.

Yet, despite being a ‘new’ addition to the league (the club is essentially a merger between DLR Waves and UCD Ladies Football Club), the Belfield girls are expected to be one of the major competitors at the summit of the table, and on the evidence of their league debut, it is easy to see why.

Shrewd pre-season business has seen Aine O’Gorman, Dora Gorman, Karen Duggan, Russell, Ciara Grant and Seana Cooke all pledge their Waves allegiance, and owing largely to the close bond they enjoy on the international stage, it came as little surprise to see them settling so comfortably during the early stages.

Galway attackers Kara Mullins and Eleanor Stafford were willing operators early on, and were doing their level best to provide an outlet inside the final-third, but as the half wore on UCD appeared to be the more likely of the two teams to break the deadlock.

Indeed, this is precisely what happened 11 minutes before the interval when a long-range strike by Russell was fired beyond the reach of Galway netminder Melissa Casserly. After working hard to contain the formidable UCD front line, the concession of this goal was a blow to the visitors, but with just one goal separating the sides on the resumption, it was by no means a lost cause.

For more, read this week’s Connacht Sentinel.