The Art of Attack: How Joy Ralph and Emily Corbet Craft the Rovers Offensive
- Christine Allen
- Apr 5
- 6 min read
Updated: Apr 15
Image credit: Patrick Kehoe
"The Art of Attack: How Ralph and Corbet Craft the Rovers' Offensive"
Ten seconds - that's all it took.
One sixth of a minute showcasing a driving run from debutant Emily Corbet underneath a scorching August sun for Rovers 2025 campaign to shimmer with promise.
Corbet’s credentials on taking to the Tallaght turf towards the latter stages of last season were never in question.
In 2022, the Laois native scored an eye watering 23 goals across all competitions for Athlone Town and earned the Player of The Year accolade.
Yet game minutes are key and following a transfer to the Wexford Youths a quieter spell in 2023 and 2024 ensued before Corbet signed with Rovers last summer.
With a move sure to place the roving forward under the spotlight (a transfer to the most successful club in the country) how quickly the sharpshooter would settle into a return of form in the green and white Hoops remained to be seen.
That was until, Corbet sprung with her first touch, igniting on the right lane as she charged towards the South Stand End and rounded off a solid introduction to the 2024 campaign with two league goals.
Three games into the new season and Corbet has surpassed last year's tally in style - netting a brace against Treaty United and scoring another away to Galway United.
While Corbet's early success is a credit to her own hard work and drive, it's her partnership with Joy Ralph that has fuelled Rovers ascendancy as the aggressive duo create havoc on both respective wings.
How?
Simple really.
When Ralph drives wide on the left and Corbet cuts inside from the right (or vica versa) - defenders are absolutely torn apart.
Impressed? You should be.
Joy Rocket Ralph
Attributes: Power, deft footwork, strength, pace, press, work-rate, striking acumen (netted ten goals in 2024)
Position: Wide striker
WSL: Think Lauren Hemp, Chloe Kelly
Tactical style: A natural 9 deployed wide on the left — cuts inside from the wing, battles defenders as she pushes high and inside, initiates transitions, tracks back to defend
Emily Corbet
Attributes: Game intelligence, agility, flair, courage, defensive work-rate (tracks back to defend)
Position: Inverted winger / Offensive midfielder
WSL: Think Beth Mead (cutting in from the right with venom and flair) and Chloe Kelly
Tactical style: A creator and finisher, Corbet drifts centrally, connects passes, stations herself in the box once a transition has been triggered, has an explosive first touch and defends deep.
Joy ‘Rocket’ Ralph and Emily ‘Crusader’ Corbet - a closer look at the Rovers pairing
Both Corbet and Ralph are crucial components in Rovers attacking chain as they link with key midfielders, charging defenders and wing-backs (think Maria Reynolds, Jaime Thompson, Aoife Brophy, Aine O’Gorman and Fiona Owens.)
Both players have similar traits and utilise power and skill to charge their respective wings all the while cutting inside to seek out the other.
With a keen eye for goal, both have the arsenal to hit the back of the net and attune their sights without hesitation.
In turn, they can whip an assist into the box quicker than you can say 'Rovers are winning the league this year.'
😁
Here's a look at how both players have impacted three of Rovers first four league games in 2025.
Athlone Town at Tallaght Stadium
Saturday 15th March 2025
LOITV
Braid bobbing, we see multiple examples of Ralph's strength and tenacity throughout this breathless battle.
In the build up to Rovers opening goal, Ralph hassles Kellie Brennan (3:40) while Corbet (10:47) remains alert, turning on the afterburners to position herself in the box when the ball is played out wide left.
Brennan barrels into the buzzing Ralph at the edge of the box (12:37) and it's this foul that triggers that Ruesha Littlejohn free-kick, while on the right, Corbet beats imposing US signing Natalie McNally for pace and strength (15:34).
Corbet pitches the ball right on Ralphs nose later in the first-half (34:49) after she executes a stunning sweep past Shauna Brennan but there's just a little too much height on the cross.
In the second half, Ralph's darting run beyond Kellie Brennan (72:17) forces Brennan into the foul. As the young attacker hits the deck, the referee points to the penalty spot and Athlone Town are reduced to ten.
Face down on the damp turf, the number 9 is rewarded with a pat of both hands on the back from an appreciative Corbet.
Like Ralph, Corbet's workrate in defence is commendable - her ability to sprint from the back into the heart of the D when play switches is a standard that all attackers should strive for.
We often see the true measure of a players commitment to a team when they are without possession as opposed to in.
Shamrock Rovers v Shelbourne
Saturday March 12th 2025
LOITV
The toughest test for both Ralph and Corbet, Ralph nevertheless roved at Tolka Park in search of an opening against a tightly organised Shelbourne while Corbet held a deeper role, sprinting ahead when the ball was played in by Jaime Thompson and the physical and deft Katie O’Reilly on the far right.
Tracked by Keeva Keenan, Corbet did well to shrug off the formidable defender on occasion and carve out space, floating high and inviting balls into the box.
Ralph on the left looked to burst into space and whip the ball across to Corbet whenever an opportunity presented itself (19:45) while her teammate planted herself in the box for set pieces (43:02)
It was a frustrating first half for both attackers as the Reds nullified The Hoops efforts yet neither's workrate dwindled.
In the second-half, Ralph initiated both the equaliser and the winning goal with her physical press and pace, swirling a dangerous delivery into the box that Katie O’Reilly pounced on to level the Dublin Derby (74:21)
Under relentless shelling in the final ten, watch how Ralph tracks back to defend - moving high only when Keelin Comiskey beckons her forward and takes her place (88:32)
Battling as the embers of the Reds onslaught begin to fade, Ralph wrestles with Shels, winning back the ball and bursting into the centre to play it to O’Gorman (94:23) who fizzes it to Owens for the winner.
All in a days work.
Shamrock Rovers v Treaty United
March 22nd 2025
LOITV
Against a Treaty United oozing with flair, Ralph looks a constant threat on the left channel, cutting inside to play in Corbet (2:49) - both demonstrating deft footwork to fool defenders, win corners, hold up play on the wings and pepper the goal with strikes (3:03, 03:38, 11;41, 22:18)
Here we see how deep Corbet tracks back once again and how she utilises her flair to ignite the attack (37:34) - a piece of trickery that Ronaldo would envy, leaving her marker for DUST.
Given how in sync both players are, it's fitting that Corbet's first goal is kick started by Ralph who controls it with her left and dinks it with her right to Brophy (38:14)
This passage of play sees the Rovers bench stand to attention in recognition of both the move and the opportunity as Brophy angles her body to sweep the long ball towards the charging Corbet (38:17.)
Then all bets are off.
Chased by three defenders Corbet utilises her strength to keep the closest at bay, takes two touches without missing a beat and sweeps the ball home with the right into the bottom corner.
Magnifico.
For her second, Corbet has once again dropped deep. Seeing O’Gorman dabble with the ball in the centre she jogs forward (pure stealth mode) and slips into the box unnoticed. (51:17)
Brophy, ever the visionary, spots her run and floats another swirling ball towards Corbet who angles her back in such a way that she beats the keeper to the ball with the back of her head and nudges it across the line (51:30)
Both Corbet and Ralph are key to the third as Corbet dances inside from the right and drives her way into the box (61:24)
Spotting Ralph, she sets her striking partner up for the shot but the number 9's first touch is a little heavy. It's Brophy who strikes first time on foot of the Treaty clearance and curls it into the top left corner.
The fourth surely places Ralph on the Ballon d’Or nominee list. Another long ball from Brophy that Ralph reaches with unenviable physicality and pace before she swaps strength for suavity and in stark contrast, controls the ball with an exquisite drag back and buries it into the bottom left hand corner (92:54)
Roll on Peamount at Greenogue on April 12th.
Watch Emily Corbet's strike against Galway United here
Christine Allen
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