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 22 (14/9/22).
Above: Kate Mooney heads DLR Waves in front against Athlone Town. Photo: @MinoguePeter.
Round 22 of the 2022 Women’s National League saw 20 goals scored. We have new league leaders after a twist in the title race.
Wexford Win To Go Top
Women’s National League legend Kylie Murphy scored her 100th goal for Wexford Youths in all competitions as Wexford Youths took top spot in the Women’s National League.
Cork stunned the would-be league leaders early on with a goal from Christina Dring set up by Eva Mangan. The away side remained solid, but Youths were awarded a very controversial penalty when Danielle Burke was penalised for the most minimal of contact on Becky Watkins. Aoibheann Clancy scored from the spot. Shortly after Clancy scored a second penalty to put Youths in front.
Wexford took control after the hour mark with Ciara Rossiter putting in a fine performance and scoring the third. Ellen Molloy chipped in as she often does before Murphy netted her milestone goal. Wexford Youths 5-1 Cork City
Shels Slip Up As Peas Get Revenge
Last season’s winners have had the better of Peamount this year. However, Shels had a setback in their quest to retain the title when they were beaten by their Dublin rivals, who had won the league the two seasons prior to Shelbourne lifting the trophy.
Both sides performed well but it was the away side who had the better chances, Peamount threatened through Ireland legends Aíne O’Gorman and Stephanie Roche.
Jessie Stapleton came close to putting the reigning champions in front, Stapleton had just returned from Slovakia where she was on Ireland duty.
Peamount would finally make the breakthrough when Stephanie Roch latched on to a Sadhbh Doyle Cross. Doyle had an excellent game and was awarded play of the match. Shelbourne 0-1 Peamount United
Athlone Lose Ground On The Top Two
Although Athlone came into the game as title contenders, it was DLR Waves who will feel they dropped points at the UCD Bowl on Saturday.
The visitors did start well and had a chance in the opening half-hour when Gillian Keenan and Emily Corbet linked up. Both have had super seasons but Corbet couldn’t keep her shot down. Waves took control of the game from there and got their reward. Aoife Brophy and Kerri Letmon linked up well on the left, Brophy send a long diagonal ball to the far wing, where Sarah McKevitt was on hand to whip the ball back in for Kate Mooney to head home.
It was very nearly 2-0 shortly after when Mia Dodd smashed a shot in from long range, but it hit the bar. Athlone pressed for an equalizer while Waves continued to make chances. Eventually, the Midlands side equalized through Madison Gibson who finished from close range. It finished all square, but the point a piece does not really do any good for either side. DLR Waves 1-1 Athlone Town
Connacht Derby Provides Another High-Scoring Affair
A hectic match saw Sligo and Galway play out another seven-goal thriller.
The sides were even early on with Paula McGrory putting the home side in front before Jamie Erickson equalized. McGrory would volley in a second for the reds but they would be pegged back just before halftime with Shauna Brennan scoring off a corner-kick routine.
Galway dominated the second half with headed goals from Bryce Reynolds and Chloe Singleton. Janna Slattery scored from long range in the 70th minute to put the result beyond any doubt.
Just after 18:00 on Sunday, Galway announced they would not be applying to take part in the WNL next season, which would see their spell in the league end since joining in 2012. Sligo Rovers 2-5 Galway.
Battling Treaty Bested By Bohs
Treaty United haven’t won a game all season but the Limerick side almost made it to halftime with things level. Abbie Brophy had the ball in the net for Bohs but was ruled out for offside. From there Treaty keeper Trish Fennelly had plenty of saves to make, but couldn’t stop Rachel Doyle’s shot going in after it took a deflection. Bohs led at the break.
The Dublin side took control in the second half. Brophy wouldn’t be denied five minutes into the second period, and she got another shortly after to put the visitors well in control.
Brophy would provide the assist for the fourth. She sent in a ball that was expertly volleyed home by Niamh Prior. Prior joined Bohs from Waves over the Summer in search of more game time. She has been a revelation since and a key figure in Bohemian’s recent wins. Treaty United 0-4 Bohemians.
Table
Wexford overtake Shelbourne at the top of the table with just one point separating the sides. The two teams meet on the last day of the season, so both will know if they win their remaining games, they will be champions.
Peamount and Athlone remain in the title race but will be aware that they cannot afford any more slip-ups.
Galway fasten their grip on a top-half finish with DLR Waves and Bohemians dropping points.
Sligo Rovers, Cork City, and Treaty United all lost meaning the bottom three sides are still well adrift of the rest.
Fixtures
Saturday 17th September Fixtures
Cork City vs Galway
Turners Cross / 17:00
Peamount United vs Sligo Rovers
PRL Park / 17:00
Bohemians vs DLR Waves
Dalymount Park / 18:00
Wexford Youths vs Treaty United
Ferrycarrig Park / 18:00
Athlone Town vs Shelbourne
Athlone Town Stadum / 19:00
Remember you can watch every game live on LOITV.ie for free with sign-up.
Follow @PostToPostSport on Twitter and Instagram for coverage of the WNL. Make sure check out our Women’s Football Blast, where we look at the latest in Irish Women’s Football domestically and international every Wednesday, each week it goes up on our Irish Football Page on PosttoPost.Sport.Blog. you can contribute to our fundraiser for Ireland’s National Autism Charity here.
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