Peamount maintain perfect record with win over DLR Waves
A BRACE from the league’s top scorer Eleanor Ryan-Doyle saw champions Peamount United maintain their 100% record in the Women’s National League with a comfortable 2-0 win over DLR Waves.
The striker scored a goal in each half, the second from the penalty spot, as the Newcastle side moved three points clear at the top of the table.
The visitors dominated the game and Ryan-Doyle could easily have taken the matchball home but for a string of top-class saves from Ireland international keeper Eve Badana.
Lucan native Ryan-Doyle opened the scoring after 17 minutes with a fine diving header to finish off a slick move, after captain Aine O’Gorman picked her out with a pinpoint cross.
Badana had already produced a fine stop to deny Ryan-Doyle an early opener and she doubled up to deny O’Gorman from a tight angle shortly after.
Rachel Doyle had two efforts in quick succession for Waves, one blocked and one clearing the bar, while Ryan-Doyle saw another header saved by Badana.
O’Gorman should have made it 2-0 five minutes before the break as she was picked out by Doyle but she scuffed her shot wide.
Waves took more risks after the break and Peamount used the space to pick them off, with O’Gorman, Megan Smyth-Lynch and Ryan-Doyle all creating chances.
The insurance goal arrived in controversial circumstances as Aoife Brophy was deemed to have clipped Lucy McCartan in the box, though contact seemed minimal. Ryan-Doyle buried the spot kick.
Ryan-Doyle was denied the hattrick late on as her shot flew inches over, while sub Steph Roche was also denied by Badana, who will have few busier days in the Waves goal.
Elsewhere in the league, Shelbourne moved into second place with a tight 1-0 win over Bohemians in the first Dublin derby of the day, with Emily Whelan netting just before the half-hour.
Athlone Town stunned Galway at Eamonn Deacy Park as goals from Katelyn Keogh, Kellie Brennan and a brace from Muireann Devaney saw Tommy Hewitt’s side to a 4-3 win.
Lynsey McKey scored twice after Abbie Callanan’s early opener, but Devaney netted a last-minute winner despite Athlone being reduced to ten as Aoife Haran saw red.
And Treaty United edged a five-goal thriller with Cork City at Turner’s Cross, Rebecca Horgan scoring twice and Gillian Keenan once.
Sarah McKevitt and Becky Cassin replied for City.
WNL RESULTS: Bohemians 0 Shelbourne 1; Cork City 2 Treaty Utd 3; DLR Waves 0 Peamount 2; Galway 3 Athlone 4.