Advertisement
Naoisha McAloon: 'I'm just delighted. Buzzing for the team, buzzing for all the fans that came out.' Alamy Stock Photo
Shootout Success

'One of the best so far' - Irish goalkeeper the hero as Durham stun Manchester United

Naoisha McAloon and Saoirse Noonan both played their part in the monumental win.

IRISH GOALKEEPER NAOISHA McAloon ranks Durham’s monumental win over Manchester United as “up there” in her footballing moments to date.

McAloon was the penalty shoot-out hero last night as Championship outfit Durham stunned Women’s Super League heavyweights United in the Continental Cup.

The Dubliner saved two spot kicks — from star duo Millie Turner and Maya Le Tissier — in front of a sell-out crowd at Maiden Castle, and the hosts sealed a coveted bonus point after twice coming from behind in normal time to secure a 2-2 draw.

Saoirse Noonan also played her part for Durham, introduced as an 80th-minute substitute, but unfortunately the Cork striker was forced off through injury before the final whistle.

Durham had to finish the game with a player less as a result, but that didn’t stop Sarah Robson sending the game to penalties at the very death.

Where the excellent McAloon, who United boss Mark Skinner described as “tiny” in his post-match interview, took over.

“I’m just delighted,” McAloon, 10 months at the club after joining from Peamount United in January, said afterwards. “Buzzing for the team, buzzing for all the fans that came out. Just delighted really, it was a brilliant performance.

“It just shows the heart and desire that we have for this club. We give everything, 100%, we fight until the end, and it paid off today.

“I’m delighted I could just do my part for the team. During the week, we had a look over it. We were well prepared and I’m glad Brassey [Stephen Brass, goalkeeping coach] kept me in there as well.”

Asked where it ranks in terms of footballing moments for the 23-year-old shot-stopper, she said: “Definitely up there. Definitely one of the best so far. Hopefully more to come.

“Back to work now.”

McAloon earned her first call-up to Vera Pauw’s Ireland squad ahead of the June qualifier against Georgia, though there’s stiff competition in the goalkeeping department with the excellent Courtney Brosnan the number one of late.

Brosnan’s Everton also won on penalties in the Conti Cup last night, though England youngster Emily Ramsey played in goal with Brosnan preferred in WSL action so far this season. The Toffees edged out fellow top-flight side Aston Villa — home to the injured Ruesha Littlejohn — in the shoot-out which followed their 1-1 draw.

Elsewhere in the competition, there was joy for Liverpool’s Irish contingent as they beat Leicester City 4-0, while Manchester City were 6-0 winners over Blackburn Rovers.

Megan Campbell’s masterful long throw-ins paid dividends through her 46-minute showing for the Reds, while Niamh Fahey was introduced as a second-half substitute. Leanne Kiernan is also on the books on Merseyside, though currently out injured.

Mary Fowler — the Irish-eligible wonderkid we’ll be hearing plenty about next summer, as she lines out for Australia in the Girls In Green’s World Cup group — was at the double for City.

And in Europe, Chelsea enjoyed an historic Champions League night as they stormed to an 8-0 hammering of Albanian side Vllaznia. Sam Kerr scored four goals and Pernille Harder claimed a hat-trick.

The Blues had beaten Paris St Germain in their first group game and followed it up in emphatic fashion at Kingsmeadow against a club making their tournament debut this season.

Australian superstar Kerr has only scored once in the WSL so far this campaign, but completed her four-goal haul just after the hour mark before producing an emphatic back-flip celebration.

Harder also netted a treble of her own and Katerina Svitkova was the other to put her name on the scoresheet, while Guro Reiten finished the match with four assists on her 100th club appearance.

Chelsea, runners up in 2021, continued their impressive start to the campaign after failing to qualify from the group stages last season.

- Additional reporting from Press Association

Your Voice
Readers Comments
This is YOUR comments community. Stay civil, stay constructive, stay on topic. Please familiarise yourself with our comments policy here before taking part.
Leave a Comment
    Submit a report
    Please help us understand how this comment violates our community guidelines.
    Thank you for the feedback
    Your feedback has been sent to our team for review.

    Leave a commentcancel