Galway Women’s FC have advanced to the Continental Tyres Women’s Shield semi-finals after a stunning 5-3 win over Cork City in Eamonn Deacy Park on Saturday evening.
It was a significant win for the Galway women, who, having trailed 3-0, then put five past Cork city in the second half.
The opening exchanges were even between both sides before the visitors grabbed the opening goal from a well-directed free-kick near the far touchline. Stacey Paul's effort from some 40 metres out floated past every one inside the crowded box and into the back of the net.
Lisa Casserly produced the first effort on target for Galway after 15 minutes when latching onto a through ball down the left flank. Unfortunately for Galway her final effort was gathered comfortably by Eve Badana.
Cork then doubled their lead when Megan Kelleher deftly nodded home a well-struck corner kick from close range heading into the break, and when they scored a third within two minutes of the restart when Clare Shine set up Maggie Duncliffe who blasted into the bottom left corner, Galway looked in trouble.
However a tactical switch saw the home side revert to three at the back with Meabh De Burca moving into midfield, and by the 50th Galway had pulled one back through Lynsey McKey. Aislinn Meaney then closed the gap to one before Republic of Ireland U17 international Sadhbh Doyle added another for the Tribeswomen to make it 3-3 heading into the final 25 minutes.
Galway completed their comeback when player of the match Meaney produced a glancing header past Badana to send the home fans wild, and in the 75th minute Tessa Mullins added Galway’s fifth to secure their place in the last four of the cup competition.
Galway WFC: Christina Hughes, Aoife Walsh, Shauna Fox, Meabh de Burca, Lisa Casserly, Sadhbh Doyle, Aislinn Meaney (Jenny Chambers 77 ), Lynsey McKey, Tessa Mullins, Grainne Barrett (Rachel Baynes 46 ), Megan Carroll.
