Galway United 3

Shamrock Rovers 2

By Mike Rafferty at Eamonn Deacy Park

AT full time in Eamonn Deacy Park on Saturday evening, Galway United women were just like their male counterparts, sitting proudly in joint leadership of their National League.

An Emma Doherty header eventually gave the home side the reward they deserved against Shamrock Rovers, but the victory was certainly hard earned.

The home side took the lead on two occasions when facing the elements in the opening half, but then conceded soft goals as the sides went in level at the break. It was an acceptable outcome considering the conditions, but a roaring second half performance eventually got United over the line.

Of course, the game made national headlines when Irish international Ruesha Littlejon scored directly from the kick-off, just seconds after the home side had taken the lead, but that should not overshadow what was a limited Shamrock Rovers performance and a solid Galway United one.

After their debacle of no game the previous weekend away against Peamount, Phil Trill’s side were on the front foot from the off in this contest. An early Amanda Smith shot drifted outside a post, before they took the lead after four minutes. A ball delivered from the centre circle by Isabella Beletic was laid off by striker Emma Doherty and with goalkeeper Kate Keane drawn off her line, Abbie Callanan made it 1-0 with a low effort from the edge of the box.

As Beletic and Niamh Farrelly kept them on the front foot, United had chances to extend their advantage, but Doherty might have done better when through with just Keane to beat. A Kate Thompson shot tested the custodian, before a rare effort at the other end  saw Nicole Nix push a Littlejon shot around a post.

A poor defensive clearance allowed Shamrock Rovers level matters on 28 minutes when new signing Emily Corbet had way too much space in the box to send a shot past Nix. Subsequently, a back pass by Maria Reynolds was allowed to run under her foot by Keane, with the goalkeeper just avoiding a calamity with a quick retreat and goal line clearance.

While the visitors had their fair share of possession and, in the process, pressed the home side back, this was probably caused by the strong wind advantage Rovers enjoyed. For all of that, they caused little hardship for the United back four.

The home side took the lead for the second time on 43 minutes when Callanan won possession on the right before releasing Ceola Bergin and her excellent through ball was directed into the bottom corner of the net by Niamh Farrelly for her first United goal and a 2-1 advantage.

Pictured: Galway United’s Emma Doherty is outnumbered by Scarlett Herron and Maria Reynolds of Shamrock Rovers during Saturday’s National Women’s League tie at Eamonn Deacy Park.