REPORT | Shelbourne 2-1 Galway United

SSE Airtricity Women’s Premier Division – Saturday 10th May 2025

A brace by Rebecca Cooke was the difference, as United fell to defeat at Tolka Park on Saturday afternoon, in the SSE Airtricity Women’s Premier Division.

In a tight affair, it was United who arguably started the better of the two sides, with a few half chances and long spells of possession in the opening exchanges. With an Emma Doherty effort just four minutes into the game forcing McQuillan into a early save in the Shelbourne goal.

Despite the promising start from United, it was the Reds who opened the scoring just after the quarter of an hour mark. In the 17th minute a lovely piece of play from Ireland International Alex Kavanagh on the edge of the box saw her place a perfect through ball onto the oncoming Rebecca Cooke from the right hand side who finished with aplomb into the far corner.

United however kept pushing to equalise, and it paid off in the 27th minute thanks to a goal from Rola Olusola. Academy graduate Emily Fitzgerald received the ball well into the Shels half, taking on three players on the left hand side she managed to manoeuvre a bit of space for herself with a fake shot before having a strike at goal. The resulting shot was spilled by McQuillan perfectly into the feet of Rola Olusola, who took a brief moment before smashing the ball into an empty Shelbourne net.

At the half an hour mark it was Shelbourne who carved out the next major chance of the game. A cross into the United box falling to Pearl Slattery in space by the penalty spot, her effort though was saved very well by Jayne Merren. Merren following a fantastic string of saves was unfortunately forced off through injury right before the break following a clash with a player at a set piece.

After the break it was Shelbourne who started the brighter, doubling their lead in the 50th minute. Cooke again. Rachel Graham received the ball from deep and managed to put Cooke through with a lovely pass through the lines across 35 yards or so, she again obliged and scored her second of the game to put the Reds back in front. Phil Trill called up on his bench once again during the second half and notably re-introduced Niamh Farrelly who was sidelined for a month with injuries. The Ireland international made a big difference as United again tried to push for the equaliser but it wasn’t to be in Dublin despite the efforts as Shelbourne came out the victors.