Rovers 0:3 Castlebar

Women's result Sunday 19th Jan: Shamrock Rovers 0 v 3 Castlebar Celtic 

Shamrock Rovers welcomed Castlebar Celtic to a rain sodden Tallaght Stadium for Series 8 of the Bus Eireann Women's National League. Rovers were coming into this game off two improved performances that had seen them unlucky to be on the wrong side of narrow 3-2 defeats to Raheny and Peamount respectively. Entering the second half of the season Rovers manager John Walsh was hopinAstor further improvement as his newly formed squad begin to gel.

A bright opening by Castlebar lead to the games first chance and a scramble in the Rovers box with just two minutes on the clock. The wet conditions made it difficult for the Castlebar striker to get her shot away in the end, a sign of things to come in terms of the pitch's playability. Following that early scare however Rovers had by far the better of the exchanges. Good work down the Rovers left wing was proving particularly promising, Hannah Tyrell performing well in the tough conditions.

With just over 10 minutes gone the equally lively Rachel Jenkins almost opened the scoring. From an inswinging corner Jenkins connected with a first time volley which forced the Castlebar keeper into a smart save.

Rovers looked particularly dangerous from set pieces and when able to find the feet of forward Noelle Murray. Murray showed nice footwork on 25 minutes when she skipped around her marker and delivered a good ball which Jenkins adjusted well to connect with, but her flicked effort was unable to test the keeper.

Jenkins and Murray again linked up well ten minutes later, the Castlebar keeper saving well from a goalbound Jenkins header. Going into half time at 0-0 Rovers will have been disappointed to have not made their dominance count, they had been the better side but proved unable to find an opener.

A half time substitution saw Emma Mullins introduced to the Castlebar attack and the striker almost made an immediate impact, Grace McAuley saving well with her feet to deny Celtic a good goal scoring opportunity.

On the 55 minute mark however Castlebar were not to be denied, Emma Hansberry finishing from 12 yards after McAuley had punched away Castlebar's initial effort. The goal was a massive blow to Rovers, they had defended well, although an improved Castlebar and Mullins in particular had looked more of a threat in the second half.

Rovers went looking for the equaliser but in a competitive encounter neither side could create many clear cut chances. Rovers introduced fresh legs and the pressure nearly paid off in the 80th minute. Laura Chambers provided an excellent cross which Tyrell met at the near post, her header was parried out by the Castlebar keeper and into a crowded box resulting in yet another goalmouth scramble. Eventually Castlebar cleared and just minutes later they made Rovers further rue that missed opportunity.

Mullins was fouled in the box as she broke through on goal and the striker then got up to smash home the penalty herself. With Rovers chasing the game Mullins bagged a second late on to round off an impressive second half performance. A 3-0 defeat was very hard on Rovers, it was a fairly equal encounter, Rovers having the better of the first half with Castlebar improved in the second.

Clinical finishing was the difference in the end and is the reason Castlebar travel home to the West with all three points. For Rovers the search for a win continues, up next is a trip to Wexford Youths where the Hoops will hope they can turn promising performances into points on the board.

TEAMS:

Shamrock Rovers: Grace McAuley; Niamh Connolly, Carol Conlon, Nicola Sinnott, Lyndsey Hayden; Joanne Ennis, Rachel Jenkins, Nicola Dorley (Aoife Maloney '73), Orlagh Nolan; Hannah Tyrell, Noelle Murray.

Castlebar Celtic: Amy Hopkins; Avril Kilkelly, Jenny Byrne, Maria Harrington, Teresa Fahy; Lauren Boles, Trish Moran, Susie Cunningham (Aileen Collins '90); Emma Hansberry, Ciara Carroll (Emma Mullin '45).

A selection of photographs taken at the game can be viewed here.

Match report by Brian Mahon

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