Cork City struck a late winner to get the better of Sligo Rovers by 3-2 in the Women’s National League at Turner’s Cross on Saturday in an exciting contest.

The hosts enjoyed the better of the first-half exchanges, but had to settle for parity at the interval after the sides exchanged goals in the space of three minutes.

Cork City hit the front in the 13th minute when the impressive Laura Shine found the net, but the Bit O’Red reacted positively and were back on level terms in the 16th minute when a Paula McGrory shot beat home ‘keeper Abby McCarthy.

The play moved from end-to-end and Emma Doherty went close with a good effort for the Bit O’Red while for Cork, Laura Shine was a constant threat and had a great chance in the 32nd minute, but was denied by the post.

At the other end a Paul McGrory header from a corner hit the Cork post as Sligo Rovers went in search of a lead goal.

However, Cork City almost found the net close to the interval, but Christina
Dring failed to capitalise on some defensive hesitancy by the visitors and it
remained level at the half-time.

Eleven minutes into the second-half Amy Mahon came to the rescue for the Bit O’Red with a smart save to deny Nadine Seward who looked certain to score.

There was a swift reaction from Sligo Rovers when Paula McGrory claimed her second goal. She won possession inside the Cork penalty area and was totally composed as she sidestepped a defender and fired into the far corner on the hour.

The lead lasted all of seven minutes and Cork were back on terms when Becky Cassin got on the end of a long ball over the top and finished to the net.

Soon after there was a yellow card for Cork City manager Danny Murphy from referee David Connolly.

On the pitch, Cork had a great chance just narrowly wide from Lauren Walsh while Sarah Kiernan tested the ability of Cork custodian Abby McCarthy from a free.

With three minutes remaining Cork City hit the front when Eva Mangan fired to the net from a well-struck free from the edge of the penalty area to give the Munster women a first win of the season against the Bit O’Red.

Cork City – Abby McCarthy; Danielle Burke, Zara Foley, Heidi Mackin, Nadine Seward, Christine Dring, Aoibhin Donnelly, Laura Shine, Becky Cassin, Eva Mangan, Lauren Walsh.
Subs – Orlaith Deasy for Donnelly and Fiona Bradley for Dring both 66 mins, Ciara McNamara for Seward 75m, Aoife Cronin for Shine 87m

Sligo Rovers – Amy Mahon; Leah Kelly, Orna O’Dowd, Amy Lauren Boles, Emma Doherty, Kerri O’Hara, Paula McGrory, Amy Boyle-Carr, Sarah Kiernan, Helen  Monaghan, Aife Haran. Subs – Aoife Brennan for Haran 63 mins, Fiona Doherty for O’Hara 75m, Lauren McLellan for Monaghan 86m.

Referee – David Connolly.