The Women’s National League kicked-off on Saturday with all games streaming live across LOI TV. OTB's Emma Carroll breaks down five things we learned from the opening weekend of action.
Cassin goes viral
Cork City came from behind to secure a point away to Galway Women’s FC.
Yet, the undisputed moment of the opening weekend came in the 85th minute as Cork’s Becky Cassin struck home a stunning equaliser from 30 yards out.
The volley went viral over the weekend and speaking on Monday morning’s OTB AM, Cassin said it was a 'hit and hope' type of shot but that she definitely meant it after practicing long-range shooting in the warm-up.
New season, same Becky Cassin. 🤷🏻♀️#CCFC84 pic.twitter.com/IdpajnImaz
— Cork City FC Women (@CorkCityFCWomen) March 27, 2021
Scoring screamers
Cassin's goal wasn’t the only screamer of the weekend, however.
After driving forward with the ball, Shelbourne captain and centre-back Pearl Slatterly fired home a rocket from the edge of the area to give Shels the lead against Athlone Town.
Meanwhile, in the tie between Wexford Youths and Peamount United, Eleanor Ryan-Doyle looped a beautiful strike from 25 yards past Kiev Gray in the Wexford goal.
Pearl Slattery with a top corner finish to open the scoring against Athlone 🚀 @AfcAthlone 0-2 @shelsfc #WNL | #LOITV pic.twitter.com/vHlyzVDogD
— Women's National League (@LoiWomen) March 27, 2021
First half hat-trick
Cork City may have come back to draw 3-3 with Galway Women on Saturday but the first half hat-trick from Rachel Kearns cannot go overlooked.
Kearns scored three goals to take her to the top of the goal-scoring charts in the opening week. The third-goal was yet another stunning strike in a weekend packed with them.
Rachel Kearns finishing off her first half hat-trick in style 👌@galwaywfc 3-3 @corkcityfcwomen
As seen on https://t.co/sUht8CZ1IG 📺 #WNL | #LOITV pic.twitter.com/j36DCoByCs— Women's National League (@LoiWomen) March 27, 2021
Champions off the mark
Peamount United got off the mark with three points away to Wexford Youths on Saturday. However, the champions left it late before managing the secure the win.
The Wexford side was awarded a penalty in the 83rd minute after Ciara Rossiter was fouled in the box, but captain Kylie Murphy failed to convert from the spot when her shot was denied by the post.
Less than two minutes later, Peamount took the lead when Eleanor Ryan-Doyle struck home that beautiful, looping strike from range.
Peamount’s Karen Duggan knew the opening game would be a challenge and explained prior to the game that Wexford Youths would be out to catch her side this season.
The champions pulled it out of the bag with this 85 minute winner from Eleanor Ryan Doyle 🎯
A step towards making it three titles in a row for the Peas 🏆 @YouthsWomen 0-1 @peamountutd #WNL | #LOITV pic.twitter.com/lOM47Qk2Z6— Women's National League (@LoiWomen) March 27, 2021
Visibility is key
This season, the Women’s National League has seen SSE Airtricity come on board as league sponsor and the announcement that all matches will be available to watch live and for free on loitv.ie.
These moves make the season ahead very exciting as we see the game grow here in Ireland. While there is still a way to go in making the league more visible, a place to watch the games and goals going viral can only be a good thing as the league begins to get showcased.
The WNL continues this Saturday with all matches streaming live on loitv.ie
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