With the opening Women’s National League weekend seeing record numbers of interactions across social media and LOI TV, series two had a lot to live up to and it did not disappoint!
There were 15 goals this time around as more viewers tuned in to the free coverage and Republic of Ireland manager Vera Pauw even checked out the action at Turner’s Cross and the UCD Bowl ahead of Ireland’s friendly fixtures Vs Denmark this Thursday and Belgium on Sunday.
? From Turner's Cross to UCD Bowl...
Ireland WNT Manager Vera Pauw takes in 2️⃣ games in the one day ?#WNL | #LOITV pic.twitter.com/oWiQ2EHnMh— Women's National League (@FAI_WNL) April 3, 2021
Cork City 0-3 Shelbourne
History was made on Saturday as Cork City moved an eight minute drive from their former stadium Bishoptown to Turner’s Cross which they will now call home. In the club’s 10th year of WNL football this monumental change marks the first time both the men’s and women’s teams in Cork will play their home games in the same venue.
It wasn’t all to be Cork’s day however as Emily Whelan secured the first goal inside 3 minutes when she sent the ball around keeper Abby McCarthy to see Shelbourne go 1-0 up.
Upon her return to her former club Saoirse Noonan got off the mark for Shels as she scored twice in superb fashion in the 15th and 88th minute, sending her team to the top of the table with two wins from two.
GOAL ⚽ Muted celebrations as Saoirse Noonan tucks one home against her former side to increase the lead for @shelsfc. 0-2 at Turner's Cross ?️
Watch the game LIVE for FREE on https://t.co/sUht8CZ1IG ?#WNL | #LOITV pic.twitter.com/VfN2Op6DCP— Women's National League (@FAI_WNL) April 3, 2021
Athlone Town 3-3 Treaty United
Treaty United were again involved in the highest scoring game of the weekend when they faced off Athlone Town in a six-goal thriller that saw both sides share the points in Lissywoolen.
Mo Nerney netted the opening goal for Athlone before the Horgan sisters took to the spotlight; Rebecca and Aoife grabbing two goals within three minutes of each other to see their side take the lead for the first of two occasions in the match.
Emma Donohoe then pulled one back for Athlone Town via the penalty spot, just before Rebecca Horgan secured her brace upon the 34thminute making it a Horgan hattrick and 3-2 in Treaty’s favour heading into the break.
A goal from Katelyn Keogh saw the match wrapped up all square on the hour mark, but the drama continued right until the final whistle as Jemma Slattery was sent off after receiving a second yellow and both teams had chances to go ahead but to avail.
GOAL ⚽️
Rebecca Horgan slides in an equaliser for @TreatyUnitedFC after they fell behind early against @AfcAthlone
Watch LIVE on https://t.co/YoFjlEmfYf ?#WNL | #LOITV pic.twitter.com/HzGaqBGmnf— Women's National League (@FAI_WNL) April 3, 2021
DLR Waves 1-1 Wexford Youths
As DLR Waves launched their campaign they clinched a 1-1 draw with Wexford Youths who uncharacteristically struggled to capitalise on their chances throughout the game.
5 minutes in a through ball from Rachel Doyle set up Carla McManus for a right footed strike across the face of the posts that found the back of the net and was to be the only goal until the 68th minute.
Having missed a penalty in their 1-0 defeat to Peamount United Wexford Captain Kylie Murphy got her side back on the score-line on the end of an exceptional forward pass by Ellen Molloy to finish up the tie at 1-1.
GOAL ⚽️
Here's the first goal of the season for @DLRWaves as Carla McManus supplies a tidy finish
Watch LIVE on https://t.co/8yFxgw8JLx ?#WNL | #LOITV pic.twitter.com/TCACe8yBnH— Women's National League (@FAI_WNL) April 3, 2021
Galway WFC 3-1 Bohemians
Rachel Kearns added to her own personal tally in this match when she got on the end of a high lob ball over the Bohemians defense to record her 4th goal in 2 games coming up on half an hour in.
Galway then made it 2-0 when Kate Slevin took advantage of another defensive mistake by the Dublin team and it concluded that way at halftime.
With 100% cross accuracy and tackling duels won Lynsey McKey scored the third for Galway as she claimed a stray ball in the box and sent it to the back of the net.
Bohs pulled one back in the form of Chloe Darby but it was too little too late as the final whistle sounded and Galway picked up the full three points.
How they stand...after Series 2#WNL | #LOITV pic.twitter.com/SbDYY9gFle
— Women's National League (@FAI_WNL) April 4, 2021
With the as before mentioned Irish matches taking place this weekend the WNL reconvenes on the weekend of the 17/18th of April.
