Post To Post Sport‘s Ciarán Duffy provides us with his weekly round-up of the action in Ireland’s top domestic league as the competition reaches Round 20 (25/8/22).
Above: Peamount United come away with the ball against Athlone Town. Photo: Mick O’Shea/WomensSoccerPhotos.
With Shelbourne in Champions League action during the week, the likes of Wexford Youths and Athlone Town had the chance to close the gap at the top of the table. In the UEFA Women’s Champions League, Shelbourne went to Slovenia for their round one games. They beat hosts Pomurje 0-1 in the semi-finals before being beaten by Icelandic champions Valur 3-0 in the final.
Back home there were just four games over the weekend in the Women’s National League. Those games saw a total of eighteen goals between them.
Peas Take The Win In Televised Game
Live on TG4 (Ireland’s Irish language terrestrial television station), the surprise package of the season, Athlone Town played host to the early season league leaders. The television coverage of the league on TG4 has been excellent over the past two seasons, but Peas would be forgiven for being camera shy given their last televised game saw them throw away a two-goal lead that ultimately cost them the title on the last day of last season.
The away side would have better luck this time around with goals from Karren Duggan and Chloe Moloney either side of the break. Duggan received the ball from Erin McLaughlin and drove home a powerful shot ahead of halftime. In the 53rd minute Moloney headed the ball off the woodwork but made no mistake with the rebound.
Both sides had chances late in the game, but Peamount were able to keep the Midlands side at bay. It was an even and enthralling contest with Peamount showing they have another gear to get three points. Athlone Town 0-2 Peamount United
Wexford Show Class Against Waves
The three-goal winning margin didn’t reflect the competitive nature of the match, but at Ferrycarrig Park on Saturday, Wexford were ruthless late on to move within two points of leaders Shelbourne.
Youths had that little bit extra on the day. Young striker Jess Lawler made her first start at centre forward, but it was a more familiar young name in Ellen Molloy who made the game her own early on.
Molloy found herself in plenty of space and fired a low shot into the Waves net. The second half saw an excellent finish by Sarah McKevitt as the winger superbly curled a shot passed Maeve Willimas to get Waves back into the game. Wexford pushed on and their two star performers Kylie Murphy and Ciara Rossiter helped secure the win. Both were excellent in the game with Ciara Rossiter getting two goals.
Wexford play Shels on the last game of the season and will know if they win their remaining seven fixtures they will be champions. Wexford Youths 4-1 DLR Waves
Galway Fire Home Six In Limerick
The scoring started early for the Tribeswomen and didn’t stop. It took Lynsey McKey under a minute to get the first goal when she got on the end of an excellent ball from Chloe Singleton. Kate Thompson got the second with a shot from long range. At the start of the second half Singleton would get one herself before Saoirse Healey added a fourth. Late goals from Rola Olusola and Jenna Slattery made for a comfortable evening for Galway. Treaty United 0-6 Galway
Cork Secure Fourth Win Of The Season
It was a dramatic game at Turner’s Cross. Cork started the brighter and got their reward with a goal from Laura Shine. Sligo would hit back immediately when Paula McGrory scored a long-range effort.
The two sides continued to cancel each other out with McGrory putting Sligo ahead before Becky Cassin equalized minutes later. Eva Mangan provided the late winner as Cork got the win, which is something they have found hard to come by this year. Cork City 3-2 Sligo Rovers
Due to Shelbourne’s Champions League commitments, their game against Bohemians was rearranged and took place on July 27th. It finished 0-0 at Tolka Park.
Table
| Pos | Team | Pld | Pts |
| 1 | Shelbourne | 20 | 45 |
| 2 | Wexford Youths | 20 | 43 |
| 3 | Athlone Town | 20 | 39 |
| 4 | Peamount United | 20 | 37 |
| 5 | Galway | 20 | 33 |
| 6 | DLR Waves | 20 | 27 |
| 7 | Bohemians | 20 | 27 |
| 8 | Sligo Rovers | 20 | 19 |
| 9 | Cork City | 20 | 12 |
| 10 | Treaty United | 20 | 1 |
Wexford Youths cut Shelbourne’s lead at the top to two points as we enter head into the run-in. Athlone Town remain in the title hunt but their loss to Peamount United sees Peas regain some hope of a title challenge. Galway strengthen their grip on a top-half finish with their win combined with DLR Waves losing. Bohemians are still in the mix for fifth place, while Sligo will be looking over their shoulders at Cork City. Treaty United remain a distant last place.
Fixtures – August 27th
DLR Waves vs Cork City
UCD Bowl, 16:00
Peamount United vs Treaty United
PRL Park, 17:00
Bohemians vs Wexford Youths
Dalymount Park, 18:00
Athlone Town vs Sligo Rovers
Athlone Town Stadium, 19:00
Galway vs Shelbourne
Eamonn Deacy Park, 19:35
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