Women's Premier Division race developing into a shootout between Athlone and Shelbourne

The joint leaders remain nine points ahead following Saturday’s series.

UP FOR THE CHALLENGE: Cork City's Becky Cassin goes high with Shelbourne's Roma McLaughlin during the SSE Airtricity Women's Premier Division game at Turner's Cross. Picture: Eddie O'Hare

Shelbourne and Athlone Town continue to set the pace in the Women’s Premier Division, the joint leaders remaining nine points ahead following Saturday’s series.

The teams met in last year’s FAI Cup final with Athlone prevailing and the midlanders were ruthless in punishing an early red card for Sligo Rovers goalkeeper Bonnie McKiernan by racking up a 5-1 victory at home.

Róisín Molloy grabbed the first from close-range on 14 minutes before Brenda Ebika Tabe added a header two minutes later.

Sligo had their manager, former Athlone chief Tommy Hewitt, dismissed at the interval, before two more headers followed by Molloy and Kerryanne Brown had Athlone 4-0 up by the hour.

Substitute Anna McDaniel raced clear to pull one back for Sligo but one of Town’s US stars, Jesi Rossman restored the cushion by converting a late penalty.

Shels also notched late goals at Turner’s Cross, scoring twice either side of Eva Mangan’s 76th-minute reply in a 4-1 triumph.

In-form Cork City began well against the Reds but were undone two minutes before the break by an incisive Roma McLaughlin pass. Hannah Healy made the most of the through ball by slotting the shot home.

Finally, the standings after Round 15 👇@shelsfc and @AthloneTownAFC still tied at the top!#WLOI | #LOITV pic.twitter.com/7q84003MTD

— LOI Women (@LoiWomen) August 10, 2024

Leah Doyle made it 2-0 close to the hour before City’s captain finished at the second attempt but Shels’ experienced duo Megan Smyth-Lynch and captain Pearl Slattery each scored in the final four minutes, the former from the penalty spot.

“Cork City made it a frustrating first-half for us,” admitted Shels manager Eoin Wearen, who handed a debut to recent capture Kate Mooney.

“I knew our quality would eventually tell. Cork’s goal could have made it a nervy final 15 minutes but we won the game comfortably in the end.”

Galway United remain the closest challengers, seeing off Shamrock Rovers 1-0 thanks to a 56th-minute penalty by Jenna Slattery. The game was a dress-rehearsal for this Saturday’s All-Island final to be contested at Tallaght Stadium (7.35pm) – Galway defending their crown.

Peamount United’s title defence suffered a setback by losing 3-2 at DLR Waves. Izzy Finnegan and Ellen Dolan swapped goals in the first half but Waves seized the initiative with two quickfire goals from Keelin Dodd and Amber Cosgrove (penalty). Jetta Berrill’s stoppage-time reply proved a consolation.

Bohemians made it back-to-back wins with an impressive 1-0 win at Treaty United, courtesy of Aoibhe Fleming’s long-range strike just past the hour mark.