A sensational weekend of Women’s National League action saw some ground-breaking headlines emerge and the title race open up.
While the clash at the summit of the table between Shelbourne inflict a first defeat of the season upon Peamount United, bottom side Cork City picked up their first victory in opposition to Bohemians.
Cork City 1-0 Bohemians
Lots of bottle on display from both teams, and both teams created plenty of chances. In the end just one was converted by Nadine Seward to the relief of all on the team in black. pic.twitter.com/Akblo3piT4
— SalemPhotos123 (@PhotosSalem) July 5, 2021
After a dozen fixtures this year Cork gathered their first three points of the season in Turner's Cross on Saturday.
While Bohs’ Yvonne Hedigan had a goal ruled out through an offside, the home team’s star player Becky Cassin was the only one to strike a tally on the scoresheet, heading the ball into the back of the net at the end of an Éabha O’Mahony corner eighteen minutes in.
The Dublin ladies failed to insert themselves into the game much after the half either and so Paul Farrell’s City jumped for joy (and relief) when it was confirmed they were to come away with the win on the final whistle.
NEVER. GIVE. UP. ? pic.twitter.com/wYUWccPekn
— Women's National League (@LoiWomen) July 4, 2021
Galway WFC 0-2 DLR Waves
Club photographer @pminogue_photo was on hand yesterday catching some great shots as usual ?? pic.twitter.com/9Ec1jLw188
— DLRWaves (@DLRWaves) July 4, 2021
Perhaps the quietest game of the round in terms of talking points, DLR won’t have minded that while the match lacked sensationalism it allowed them to keep rising in the table when they beat Galway WFC at Eamonn Deacy Park.
An own goal from Shauna Fox opened the scoring on the day as Carla McManus’s shot deflected in and sent DLR 1-0 to the good.
Anna Fahey and Lynsey McKey were standout for the Galway, while defender Oleta Griffin and newcomer to the team Jetta Berrill excelled for the visitors.
Katie Malone secured DLR’s second in the 76th minute with a header and imposed a first home defeat for Galway boss Stephen Lally.
GOAL | @Katiemalone_
@GalwayWFC 0-2 @DLRWaves
FOLLOW IT LIVE on https://t.co/YoFjlEmfYf ?
#WNL | #LOITV pic.twitter.com/64tiv71cyy— Women's National League (@LoiWomen) July 3, 2021
Shelbourne 4-3 Peamount United
Without doubt the game of the season so far, this one between first and second place Peamount United and Shelbourne was always going to be a cracker.
This seven goal thriller has major implications on the title race as with the win The Reds have now overtaken the Peas and lie in first place.
Saoirse Noonan’s header in the fifth minute put Shels in the driving seat in Tolka Park early on, and it wasn’t long before she nicked a second to complete the brace within ten.
Leading the race for the WNL golden boot, Eleanor Ryan Doyle slotted away a penalty to bring the game back to 2-1 before halftime.
The second 45 minutes were breathtakingly exciting until the bitter end, Emily Whelan firing one into the top corner before Aine O’Gorman and Ryan Doyle pulled two goals back for what looked like a share of the spoils.
Noelle Murray ensured that was not to be the case however as in the dying embers she flicked in a goal for the winner in the 94th minute to send all The Reds in Tolka Park jumping for joy and rocketing the team to the top of the league in the process.
King of Tolka! ?
Shelbourne manager Noel King celebrates the winning goal from the stands after being sent off during the SSE Airtricity Women's National League match between Shelbourne and Peamount United at Tolka Park today.
? @SportsfileEoin https://t.co/sX95OAKK3r pic.twitter.com/geUlDEJemO— sportsfile (@sportsfile) July 3, 2021
Wexford Youths 2-1 Treaty United
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Aoibheann Clancy gets the winner in the dying moments! pic.twitter.com/vPvtj2e7Vc— Wexford Youths Women (@YouthsWomen) July 3, 2021
Another match that expressed the altruism of the phrase “it’s not over until it’s over”, Wexford and Treaty United’s valiant display saw The Youths stealing all three points at Ferrycarrig Park.
Wexford struggled to breakthrough Treaty’s five at the back defense for much of the game, substitute Sinead Taylor the one to break the deadline with 67 minutes gone.
Gillian Keenan equalised things for the Limerick team and it looked as if they were to get a point for their brave performance against a Wexford team without captain Kylie Murphy, but yet another late goal proved decisive in this game.
Aoibheann Clancy got a goal in the closing moments to prove to WNL fans around the country that while there was serious consequences from the other top three clash of the day that they aren’t to be ruled out just yet.
FT | @YouthsWomen 2-1 @TreatyUnitedFC
Another dramatic ending as Aoibheann Clancy got the winner for Wexford with the last kick of the game ?
What a day of football it has been!#WNL | #LOITV pic.twitter.com/YFK1zA22gG
— Women's National League (@LoiWomen) July 3, 2021
Next week
After that hectic series who wouldn’t be looking forward to next weekend’s dealings as newly crowned league leaders Shels sit this one out and Peamount aspire to put the loss behind them when they take on Bohemians.
