Galway WFC enjoyed a flying start to their new season on Sunday when overcoming intermediate side St Catherine’s in Dublin. The 4-0 victory ensures Galway WFC progress to the Continental Tyres FAI Womens Senior Cup quarter-finals.
The star of the game was new signing Gertie Dowd, who bagged a hat-trick on her debut, while fellow debutante Carol Mannion added the fourth.
Within 25 minutes of her first game in senior football, Gertie Dowd, a summer signing from Shiven Rovers, poked home to score after some good work down the right from Ellerose O’Flaherty. Catherine’s then came into the gamewith former Irish international Olivia O’Toole winning a couple of corners, but they never managed to trouble Galway keeper Tina Hughes.
Galway had to wait until just after the restart for Dowd to add the second. Dowd then bagged her third with a sensational strike. A delightful corner from Lisa Casserly was met by Dowd who sent a powerful volley into the roof of the net.
Lisa Casserly, Megan Kelleher and Lynsey McKey then all went close for Galway, but failed to register on the scoresheet. However GWFC wrapped up the tie in a move which involved all three substitutes, Ciara Lynagh, Aoife Walsh with Lynagh, for Carol Mannion to finish to the net.
The result sets Galway WFC up for their first home game of the season against Shelbourne this Saturday at 2.30 in Eamonn Deacy Park.
Shelbourne are a new name in the WNL, but their players will be familiar to many as they have been formed following a merger with Raheny United.
Galway manager Don O’Riordan says it was great to get the season off to a winning start.
"I was particularly pleased how the new girls fitted into the side. I thought our passing and movement was excellent on the day. We know however that we cannot become complacent and we will have to raise the standards a level this weekend. We are hoping for a big crowd on Saturday which will hopefully kick off a great sporting weekend for the county.”
