Series 8 of the WNL saw the table shuffled as both Treaty and Athlone picked up their first three points of the year, while the Dublin derby saw Shelbourne edge through and Peamount excelled yet again with a tough earned victory over an ever improving DLR side.
How things stand...#WNL | #LOITV pic.twitter.com/IknmUEMzKc
— Women's National League (@LoiWomen) May 22, 2021
Bohemians 0-1 Shelbourne, 2pm Saturday May 22nd
Shelbourne squeezed passed Bohemians on Saturday as Emily Whelan’s goal in the first half proved decisive.
For the girls in red this was their fourth successive win on the bounce and their dynamic duo struck once again as Saoirse Noonan teamed up with Whelan, her through ball putting the golden boot contender in the perfect position to score her fourth of the season.
A tight affair to the bitter end, Shels managed to keep hold of the lead and also the clean sheet (their third consecutively) against an impressive Bohemians team, propelling themselves to second in the table with 18 points, just three behind Peamount United with the same amount of games played.
⚽ GOAL | @emilywhelan1297
A fourth goal of the season for the Shels striker as she converts a chipped pass from Saoirse Noonan@bfcdublin 0-1 @shelsfc #WNL | #LOITV pic.twitter.com/Oqia6XUlDv— Women's National League (@LoiWomen) May 22, 2021
Cork City 2-3 Treaty United, 2pm Saturday May 22nd
? SECOND HALF ACTION SHOTS!
? @GlennPSports#TreatyUTD pic.twitter.com/2CdJDnmAwi— Treaty United FC (@TreatyUnitedFC) May 22, 2021
Against the odds Treaty secured the victory in Turner’s Cross putting 3 past Cork City in this bottom of the table scrap.
Rebecca Horgan netted twice for the Limerick team as she worked in tandem with sister Aoife, while Sarah McKevitt kept the home side in the game before the halftime whistle.
A sublime solo and skilful run from Gillian Keenan ultimately ran supreme, as a late Becky Cassin penalty meant it came down to the wire in the last few minutes but it wasn’t to be City’s day.
Niall Connolly’s Treaty would be happy with the squads performance as they came away triumphant and with the bragging rights in this Munster derby.
⚽ GOAL | @gilliankeenan
A fabulous run topped off by an unstoppable finish to put Treaty two goals ahead.@CorkCityFCWomen 1-3 @TreatyUnitedFC #WNL | #LOITV pic.twitter.com/Tlywt9oVB0— Women's National League (@LoiWomen) May 22, 2021
Galway WFC 3-4 Athlone Town, 2pm Saturday May 22nd
Galway versus Athlone showcased a seven goal enigma with Muireann Devaney’s late winner resulting in Tommy Hewitt’s ladies walking away with their first outright success in the league this year.
With some players missing in action due to the studious requirements that couple with the Leaving Cert, Athlone were out to prove a point from the get-go in Eamonn Deacy Park, but it was Galway to score first with Abbie Callanan attaining her first ever WNL goal in the 12 minute.
After the departure of Billy Clery earlier this week Galway were pressurised under caretaker manager Maz Sweeney, with Katelyn Keogh bagging the equaliser for the away side, followed by an awe inspiring Muireann Devaney belting volley from outside of the box making it 2-1.
Kellie Brennan then gave Athlone a two goal cushion with her shot from close range before Lynsey McKey nabbed one back for Galway leaving the scoreline at 3-2 heading into halftime.
McKey secured a second goal to level the game at 3-3 and it looked as if Athlone were going to let it slip in the closing stages as discipline failed them and Aoife Haran picked up a red card late on.
However, with both teams pushing for the winner Athlone put away a last minute effort for a Devaney brace, transporting Athlone to cloud nine with the win and into sixth place.
⚽ GOAL | @MuireannDevaney
Athlone have turned things around in Eamonn Deacy Park and it's Muireann Devaney who puts the away side in front.@GalwayWFC 1-2 @AfcAthlone #WNL | #LOITV pic.twitter.com/27THNnjIWI— Women's National League (@LoiWomen) May 22, 2021
DLR Waves 0-2 Peamount United, 6pm Saturday May 22nd
Peamount United conquered yet again in their 2-0 win over DLR Waves at the UCD Bowl.
Eleanor Ryan Doyle put The Peas seven game sweep in motion with her diving header at the end of an Áine O'Gorman's cross coming to fruition in the 18th minute.
She extended the away sides advantage from the penalty spot in the second half, placing her at the top of the goal-scorers list this season as the striker now lies on eight stamps, two surplus to Galway’s Rachel Kearns.
Had it not been for DLR goalkeeper Eva Badana things could have been a lot worse for the hosts as she pulled off some phenomenal saves and demonstrated her ability as a safe pair of hands in the 2-0 defeat.
⚽ GOAL | @EleanorRdoyle
A diving header at the near post to meet Áine O'Gorman's cross@DLRWaves 0-1 @peamountutd
#WNL | #LOITV pic.twitter.com/CfUscwqgDF— Women's National League (@LoiWomen) May 22, 2021
SERIES 9
Round 9 of the WNL features Wexford Youths back in action against Shelbourne as Cork City lie idle and 6th face 7th as Athlone Town will battle it out against Bohemians. League leaders Peamount will take on Galway WFC and on Sunday Treaty head into their clash with DLR where they will hope to utilise the momentum they gathered from their first win of 2021.
