WNL: Galway hammer DLR Waves, Peamount too strong for Kelleher's Cork City 

Cork City's Eva Mangan and Peamount' s Jessica Fitzgerald in action during their side's SSE Airtricity Women's Premier Division tie at PRL Park. Pic: Moya Nolan

Galway United were the emphatic victors in Saturday’s opening round of Women’s National League fixtures, thumping DLR Waves 5-1 in the west.

Amber Cosgrove's 33rd-minite penalty gave the visitors an interval lead at Eamonn Deacy Park but many people’s tip to challenge for the title recovered with gusto.

Alison Meaney equalised with 11 minutes into the second half, followed within four minutes by Emma Doherty making it 2-1. Each grabbed a pair apiece while Amanda Smith notched the fourth goal.

Also overcoming an interval deficit were Shamrock Rovers. They were trailing to Kate Mooney’s first half opener for Shelbourne until 15 minutes remaining when Amanda Quillan blundered by carrying the ball over her goal-line.

Eoin Wearen’s Reds were caught on the break in the final minute by the unmarked Fiona Owens angling her shot into the bottom corner.

Champions Athlone Town coped without their star player Maddie Gibson at home to Wexford as first-half strikes from Isabel Ryan and Kelly Brady wrapped up a 2-0 triumph.

Competition aristocrats Peamount United also recorded a 2-0 win in their opener, with two goals in the opening 15 minutes from Ellen Dolan and Becky Watkins enough to account for Cork City in Greenogue.

Cork City’s new era under the management of returning Frank Kelleher was exposed to a harsh start, as they fell two goals behind by the 14th minute at Peamount United.

Two of Peas’s young stars combined on 10 minutes to find the breakthrough - Jess Fitzgerald’s corner sitting up for Ellen Dolan to plant her side-footer past Una Doyle.

Four minutes later and the City goalkeeper was picking the ball out of the net again. This time it was former Rebel Becky Watkins who found the range, albeit through the stopper’s fingertips.

Amanda Budden in the opposite goal denied her hometown club on a couple of occasions, particularly Ciara McNamara’s attempt from close range. Christina Dring also saw her header hacked off the line as the visitors chased a comeback route.

Treaty United have utilised their network to assemble a cosmopolitan squad and one of their three Americans in the starting line-up, Bella Flocchini, had an involvement in both goals of their 2-0 victory over newcomers Waterford.

Flocchini’s 35th-minute assist allowed Limerick local Kate Lawlee to control the ball and smash the ball past Maeve Williams. The US import herself pocketed the second with 14 minutes left, unleashing a 20-yarder that floated over the Blues stopper.

Stalemate ensued between Sligo Rovers and Bohemians at the Showgrounds. 

Bohs’ Orlaith Fitzpatrick came closest to finding the winner, her close-range effort approaching the break spinning narrowly off-target. Alannah McEvoy also almost found the net for the visitors in stoppage time but was unable to beat Bonnie McKiernan in the Sligo goal.