Out of sorts Galway WFC still seeking first win of campaign

Galway WFC 1

UCD Waves 2

AFTER a good opening season in the Women’s National League last year, matters are proving be much more difficult this time around for Galway WFC and it appears that they just cannot buy a result as they still chase a first win of the campaign.

At Eamonn Deacy Park on Sunday, they gave a good shot at taking down the second best team in the country, but despite taking the lead  they conceded twice to go under for the third game in succession at home.

The Dublin visitors had more of a cutting edge about them as they offered the greater attacking threat, but the home side defended well and would have merited something from the game.

After a scoreless and pretty listless opening half, Galway WFC took a shock lead on 59 minutes when a long range Maria Curtin free kick slipped through the hands of Caoimhe O’Reilly for a 1-0 lead.

It was an advantage that wasn’t to last long as straight from the kick off, Julie-Ann Russell left three would-be challengers in her wake as she blitzed her way to the byline and her cross was finished at close range by Orlagh Nolan to tie up matters.

It was a dreadful blow for the home side, but one could only admire the skills and pace of the Moycullen native who set it up. Indeed Russell, along with her international colleagues Dora Gorman, Ciara Grant and Áine O’Gorman were a step above anything else on display.

Credit must go to the two young Galway WFC full backs as Megan Kelleher marshalled Russell very well for the and indeed moved across the park when the UCD winger switched flanks for a spell.

On the other side, Aoife Walsh was equally solid, but she will have bveen disappointed to have allowed Rebekah Carroll to get inside her to head the winning goal.

At the heart of the defence, Ciara Cormican and Marie Curtin conceded little as they gave Áine O’Gorman very little latitude as she did her best work away from goal.

The midfield were competitive and traded well with their more illustrious opponents, but for lone front runner Susie Cunningham, it was a difficult task as the striker was outnumbered for much of the game.

For more, read this week’s Connacht Sentinel.