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 (31/8/22).
Above: Wexford Youths’ Kylie Murphy on the ball against Bohemians. Photo: @YouthsWomen.
With Shelbourne returning from UEFA Women’s Champions League action, there were five games taking place last weekend. There was a total of 23 goals with eight of the ten teams finding the net. No draws during this round with three home wins and two away wins. Multiple players were involved in a home-based training camp last Wednesday.
Wexford Win Thriller At Dalymount
Wexford moved temporarily top of the table on Saturday with a win against Bohemians. Ellen Molloy put the visitors ahead in the 19th minute. It was 0-1 going into the break, but the second half was a different story.
A hectic second period began with Kylie Murphy hitting the crossbar before Kira Bates-Crosbie equalized for Bohs just after the hour mark. The equilibrium didn’t last long with Murphy putting Youths back in front and Nicola Sinnott doubling the advantage to make it 1-3. Lisa Murphy got Bohemians back into the game with 12 minutes to go. Once again Wexford responded immediately, this time through Meabh Russell. Aine Walsh scored a 5th for the away side in injury time to ensure Wexford would move temporarily top of the table. Bohemians 2-5 Wexford Youths
League Leaders Edge Out Galway
The TG4 cameras were focused on Eamonn Deacy Park as league leaders Shelbourne were away to fifth-placed Galway. As Wexford had already played and won, Shelbourne found themselves in second place going into the game.
Shels could be forgiven for experiencing fatigue having been in Slovenia for Champions League action and only returning earlier this week. It was Galway who started the brighter of the two sides. The champions came back into the game and would win a penalty in the 36th minute after a collision in the box. Jessie Stapleton calmly converted to give the away side the lead.
Noelle Murray chipped Abbiegayle Ronayne in the Galway goal from long range just past the hour mark to double the advantage. Galway would finally get their goal when Bryce Reynolds headed in on the 73rd minute. It was a competitive final quarter of the game with both sides having chances, ultimately Shelbourne held out to ensure they stayed top of the table. Galway 1-2 Shelbourne
Athlone Bounce Back To Keep Title Dreams Alive
Athlone found themselves where nobody expected them to be in the latter stages of the season, in a title race. It was the away side, however, who took the lead with Sarah Kiernan sending in a cross for Amy Boyle-Carr to fire home. Amy Mahon was busy in the Sligo net but couldn’t prevent the Athlone equalizer. Gillian Keenan headed in to level the game, before putting the Midlands side in front shortly after. Athlone would find themselves 3-1 up at halftime with Kellie Brennan adding another.
Paula McGrory headed in a cross from Gemma McGuinness to cut the gap to one goal, before one of this season’s star player Emily Corbet, having come on as a substitute, fired in a fourth for Town. Athlone Town 4-2 Sligo Rovers
Waves Edge Out Cork In Tense Game
It was a game for the defences at the UCD Bowl last Saturday. Four was the magic number as DLR came into the game having not won in four games in all competitions, while Cork had picked up their fourth win of the season in the previous round.
There were no clear chances early on with the game very much an arm wrestle. The deadlock would be broken just after the half-hour mark when Waves were awarded a free kick. Mia Dodd stood over the ball and fired in a low shot which beat the keeper to put the home side one up. They had a chance to double the lead when they were awarded a penalty for a foul on Kate Mooney, Abby McCarthy would dive low to her left to make the save.
The second half was again tight with Cork coming close through Ciara McNamara and Christina Dring. Waves controlled possession for the most part with Sarah McKevitt regularly threatening. In the final stages, City pilled on the pressure but Waves were able to hold out with a terrific defensive display. Mia Dodd was awarded player of the match and played most of the game out of position at centre-back, stepping in for injured captain Jess Gleeson. Her defensive partner Louis Corrigan returned from injury recently and is very much back to her best. Aoife Brophy also had an excellent game at right-back. DLR Waves 1-0 Cork City
Peas Fire Six Past Treaty
Peamount were favourites going into the game at PRL Park and took just six minutes to get the scoring going. Sadbh Doyle played a through-ball towards Tara O’Hanlon who put Peas in front. Treaty tried to play on the counter but struggled to create. The home side would go in 3-0 up with further goals from Erin McLaughlin and Áine O’Gorman.
Alannah McEvoy took no time to further resume the scoring in the second half with her cross finding the net. O’Gorman got another shortly after to put herself clear at the top of the goal-scoring charts. Lauryn O’Callaghan added a sixth for Peas, skipping past the defence and slotting home. Peamount United 6-0 Treaty United
Table
| Pos | Team | Pld | Pts |
| 1 | Shelbourne | 21 | 48 |
| 2 | Wexford Youths | 21 | 46 |
| 3 | Athlone Town | 21 | 42 |
| 4 | Peamount United | 21 | 40 |
| 5 | Galway | 21 | 33 |
| 6 | DLR Waves | 21 | 30 |
| 7 | Bohemians | 21 | 27 |
| 8 | Sligo Rovers | 21 | 19 |
| 9 | Cork City | 21 | 12 |
| 10 | Treaty United | 21 | 1 |
No movement in the table this week as the top four all win. DLR Waves move to within three points of Galway and a place in the top half. None of the bottom four sides pick up any points. The title race remains tight with Shelbourne and Wexford leading the way while Athlone and Peamount follow close behind.
There’s no WNL this weekend as it’s an international break with World Cup Qualifiers taking place. Ireland host Finland at Tallaght Stadium this Thursday with kick-off at 19:00. A win would see Ireland guarantee a place in the play-offs. Then on Tuesday 6th, Ireland will be away to Slovakia to finish off the group. Both games carry crucial importance to Ireland’s hopes of a first-ever major tournament appearance. The play-offs will take place between October 3rd – 11th with Ireland hoping to be there.
The following weekend the Women’s National League will return.
Next Fixtures
10th September
Sligo Rovers vs Galway
The Showgrounds / 14:00
DLR Waves vs Athlone Town
UCD Bowl / 16:00
Treaty United vs Bohemians
Markets Field / 17:00
Wexford Youths vs Cork City
Ferrycarrig Park / 18:00
Shelbourne vs Peamount United
Tolka Park / 19:35
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