Struggling Galway WFC bow out of League Cup

Galway WFC 0

Castlebar Celtic 1

Big occasions call for big performances, but despite what was at stake it was not an occasion to remember for the home side.

While the visitors required just a draw to advance to the knock-out stages, victory was required for the locals to make the last four, but unfortunately it was a day when they seldom looked like they had the wherewithal to secure the required outcome.

It was a contest that never looked like it was going to produce many goals, as defences dominated and chances were few and far between. Goalkeepers Melissa Casserly and Rachel King were well protected and seldom troubled, until Castlebar made the breakthrough on 73 minutes.

A break by Marie Gallagher saw her release Sarah Rowe and the right winger advanced into the box before angling a side footed effort beyond the advancing Casserly for a 1-0 lead.

Galway WFC upped the pace somewhat in the closing stages, but they seldom looked like they had the ability to peg back the lead. Becky Walsh and Lucy Hannon directed close range efforts at ‘keeper King, while McKey had a shot blocked in a crowded box.

The visitors started the brighter, and efforts by Rowe and Emma Hansbury tested Casserly in the opening minutes, while the hosts struggled to make any impact until Eleanor Stafford powered a header at King on 18 minutes. Skipper Ruth Fahy then cracked an effort over the bar from outside the box.

Manager Nigel Keady made a surprise double substitution on 36 minutes with the withdrawal of Grainne Barrett and Eleanor Stafford. Neither looked obvious candidate to take off at such an early stage, Stafford looking lively in the early exchanges and on a day when a win was required, her removal denied the home side of a potential goal scorer.

Leading scorer Sinead Taylor appears to have hit a barren spell as she drew a blank for the third game in succession and seldom contributed in the last third of the park. Indeed it was central defenders Becky Walsh and Kiera Cormican who went closest to a second half breakthrough, but both were off target following set piece deliveries.

In contrast to the home side, Castlebar moved the ball quickly and appeared to link play better as greater movement just added to their options.