Peamount go top, Shels hold off Waves, Wexford hit five, Athlone deny Cork

Goals from Ireland internationals Emily Whelan and Noelle Murray were enough for Noel King’s side

1 May 2021; Noelle Murray of Shelbourne is tackled by Niamh Prior of DLR Waves during the SSE Airtricity Women's National League match between Shelbourne and DLR Waves at Tolka Park in Dublin. Photo by Eóin Noonan/Sportsfile

The League table shows that they are rooted to the bottom but Treaty United defended brilliantly for long periods today as they made champions Peamount work hard for an eventual 3-0 victory.

While Michaela Mitchell was needed to be on full alert between the posts for the home team, it was Peamount goalkeeper Naoisha McAloon who had to pull off a big save to deny Aoife Horgan early on.

Frustrated at not being able to break through, Peamount mixed up their approach and eventually got their goal through a long-range strike from Sadhbh Doyle following a short corner.

Two quick goals from Áine O'Gorman and Eleanor Ryan-Doyle put the champions in command, even though Jemma Slattery went close for Treaty who can take a lot of positives from their overall display.

The win takes Peamount back to the top of the table.

Yesterday, Shelbourne survived a late DLR Waves onslaught to claim a hard-fought 2-1 victory at Tolka Park.

Goals in either half from Ireland internationals Emily Whelan and Noelle Murray were enough for Noel King’s side despite a spectacular Carla McManus strike halving the deficit late on.

The visitors, who came into the tie unbeaten in their three games to date, had chances in the dying moments through Niamh Barnes and Shauna Carroll but they couldn’t find the leveller.

A cagey opening 45 minutes produced few in the way of chances, with the lively Whelan going closest midway through the half as she curled narrowly wide.

The teenager broke the deadlock shortly before half-time, however, as Jessica Ziu lofted a ball in behind the defence and she hooked the ball expertly into the far corner.

The goal that has us in front #DublinsFinest

pic.twitter.com/erzt6raFeQ

— Shelbourne FC (@shelsfc) May 1, 2021

Waves had a bright spell after the break and captain Catherine Cronin was frustrated to see her shot fly wide from close range.

At the other end, Jamie Finn showed grit and determination to break free in the box but she couldn’t keep her shot down.

Shels doubled their lead just before the hour in contentious circumstances as Jess Gleeson was judged to have handled a Murray corner.

The former Glasgow City playmaker took responsibility for the spot-kick and coolly slotted the ball past Eve Badana.

Waves boss Graham Kelly introduced striker Carla McManus for the final 25 minutes and she notched her second goal of the season seven minutes from time.

There seemed to be little on as Katie Malone poked the ball to the striker just inside the Shels half, but her audacious 35-yard effort left Amanda Budden with no chance.

There followed a frantic final few minutes as Waves poured forward in search of what would have been a deserved equaliser, but the final touch was lacking and Shels hung on for the win.

Elsewhere, exciting Ireland youngster Ellen Molloy fired a brilliant, long-range goal as Wexford Youths put five without reply past Galway at Ferrycarrig Park.

This absolute wondergoal from Ellen Molloy left our commentators almost speechless! 💫#LOITV pic.twitter.com/1FSgxkmSCf

— Wexford FC Women (@WexfordFCWomen) May 1, 2021

Lynn Marie Grant put Wexford two-up in the first half after an early own-goal got them on the way.

And Sinead Taylor, Molloy and Aisling Frawley rounded off the win in the second half.

In the evening kickoff, Athlone Town and Cork City shared four goals in Athlone Town Stadium.

Becky Cassin headed City in front from Eabha O’Mahony’s corner early on but Emma Donoghue levelled from the penalty spot on the stroke of half-time.  City felt they should have had a penalty of their own when Christina Dring went over in the box.

It was Dring who restored City's lead when she raced onto Laura Shine's ball. But Athlone earned a point late on when Melissa O’Kane forced in from close range. 

⚽ GOAL | It's all level!

Athlone equalise for the second time in the game, can either team score a winner?@AfcAthlone 2-2 @CorkCityFCWomen #WNL | #LOITV pic.twitter.com/ogkO7y2EoD

— LOI Women (@LoiWomen) May 1, 2021