Three position changes in the WNL table within four hours of series 14 action on Saturday illustrates just how tight the title contest is at the minute in our nations’ domestic league.
Peamount United, Wexford Youths and Shelbourne all racked up three points while Cork City and Athlone Town caught themselves in the net of a 2-2 deadlock and shared the spoils in their bottom spot battle.
Cork City 2-2 Athlone Town
Christina Dring's late equaliser for Cork City Women in today's baking WNL draw with Athlone Town 🍳 pic.twitter.com/iiDJv47zS8
— Steve Alfred (@StevePitchside) July 17, 2021
One of the two 2 o’clock kick offs this weekend, the cellar dweller brawl between Cork and Athlone at Turners Cross was always going to spark emotions.
With many of the tags of a thrilling melee, this scuffle saw four goals, a controversial referring decision and a late equaliser.
Melissa O’Kane found the back of the net after a defensive mix up amongst the home side meant Muireann Devaney played her through, but their lead wasn’t to endure on as a long range effort from Eabha O’Mahony powered past Abbiegayle Ronayle who was between the sticks for The Town.
O’Kane was then to feature in the headlines again as her corner cross found Roisin Molloy who sent Athlone 2-1 up to City’s despair and dispute.
Christina Dring then saved the day for The Rebels in this six pointer as she plucked a dividend of the points on the foot of a Lauren Egbuloniu assist in the 90th minute.
⚽️ GOAL | Melissa O'Kane@CorkCityFCWomen 0-1 @AthloneTownAFC
Watch LIVE for free on https://t.co/8yFxgw8JLx 💻#WNL | #LOITV pic.twitter.com/SJZyUqdJkj— Women's National League (@LoiWomen) July 17, 2021
Galway WFC 0-1 Wexford Youths
Aisling Frawley was presented with a trophy in honour of her 2️⃣0️⃣0️⃣ appearance! pic.twitter.com/3dJNfhZvwU
— Wexford Youths Women (@YouthsWomen) July 17, 2021
Having being branded as a touch short of a title shot this year after their somewhat average start, Wexford Youths seem to be the dark horses in the competition as they continue to assemble results but remain out of the limelight.
For Aisling Frawley’s 200th appearance for the club the Youth’s travelled to Eamonn Deacy Park where they eventually ran 1-0 winners.
Edel Kennedy's strike after the half hour mark was to be the only goal to separate the teams in what could be classified as a circumspect but predictable affair in which both camps will feel more should have come from.
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DLR 1-2 Shelbourne
+ 6#RedsTogether | #DublinsFinest pic.twitter.com/0azYoM8Kiy
— Shelbourne FC (@shelsfc) July 17, 2021
The Reds are acclimatised to harvesting outcomes from the remnants of a match at this stage and done exactly that on Saturday last anew.
Going back to the summit of the WNL for a brief 10 minutes, Shels came away ecstatic from Jackson Park while DLR left disappointed as they now lag behind the high flying three teams by nine points.
Saoirse Noonan tallied the opener of the fixture when she slot the ball into the ceiling corner at close range, but this was cancelled out by Jetta Berrill who secured her first goal for The Sky Blues after re-signing for them in the transfer window.
While they had to wait until the 87th minute for the victory clinching goal, Rebecca Cooke’s bullet was ultimately to be the difference maker that saw the visitors triumph.
What a goal 😍#DublinsFinest | #WNL
pic.twitter.com/q40W7vFUqr— Shelbourne FC (@shelsfc) July 17, 2021
Peamount United 5-1 Treaty United
🗣Managers Thoughts | James O’Callaghan talks about today’s 5-1 win over Treaty in the @LoiWomen. pic.twitter.com/jyXjzIIymi
— Peamount Utd FC (@peamountutd) July 17, 2021
This six goal thriller at PLR Park saw Peamount United take on Treaty and go in search of some breathing room at that principle spot in the league.
Namesake Doyle teammates linked up to fasten the first two goals of the game for The Peas, Sadhbh sending the ball home in the 24th minute and Eleanor Ryan Doyle doubling the lead in the 37th .
Aoife Cronin then equalised exactly minute later but the charge wasn’t enough for the Limerick outfit as they went on to concede a further three goals in the second half and suffer a heavy defeat despite a performance that they can take plenty of positives from.
⚽️ GOAL | Sadhbh Doyle@peamountutd 1-0 @TreatyUnitedFC
Watch it LIVE NOW on https://t.co/8yFxgw8JLx 💻#WNL | #LOITV pic.twitter.com/VKfHn3LIob
— Women's National League (@LoiWomen) July 17, 2021
Next week
Next time out James O'Callaghan’s league leaders take on ninth place Athlone Town, while Shelbourne too have a chance to pick up points against Treaty. Bohemians meet DLR Waves and Cork City head to Wexford as everyone continues to wonder who will emerge at the cap of the WNL next week!
WHAT.A.TITLE.RACE.
⏰ 14:00
1️⃣ @peamountutd
2️⃣ @shelsfc
3️⃣ @YouthsWomen
⏰ 16:00
1️⃣ @YouthsWomen
2️⃣ @shelsfc
3️⃣ @peamountutd
⏰17:50
1️⃣ @shelsfc
2️⃣ @peamountutd
3️⃣ @YouthsWomen
⏰18:00
1️⃣ @peamountutd
2️⃣ @shelsfc
3️⃣ @YouthsWomen
And all because of super goals like this 👇 pic.twitter.com/luXcoLFAt7— Women's National League (@LoiWomen) July 17, 2021
