Shels shake off Bohs as Sligo get a Peamount lesson
SHELBOURNE eventually shrugged off Bohemians’ spirited resistance at Tolka Park to claim a 1-0 victory as the Women’s National League kicked off a new season yesterday.
The visitors’ produced a defiant display to frustrate Shels, but Noel King’s side still did enough to carve out a hard-earned win. Captain Pearl Slattery headed a 75th minute winner for Shelbourne with Bohemians left reflecting on what might have been.
Peamount cruised to an emphatic 6-0 success over newcomers Sligo Rovers with four goals in the opening period all but deciding it.
Dora Gorman scored in the 21st minute for Peamount. Debutant for the Dublin club Erin McLaughlin then scored and a brace from Stephanie Roche ensured Peamount led by four at the break.
Republic of Ireland international Áine O’Gorman scored two more goals for Peamount, to bring the tally to six at PRL Park.
DLR Waves commenced the new season with an encouraging 5-0 home triumph over Treaty United.
Dominant throughout, DLR hit the front in the 41st minute when Lynn Craven steered boss Graham Kelly’s charges ahead.
Two minutes after the restart Kerri Letmon extended the Waves’ lead as Treaty were being put under severe duress.
In the 61st minute Avril Brierley headed a third, as DLR continued to dictate terms at the UCD Bowl.
The immensely promising Joy Ralph struck a fourth for DLR in the 80th minute to decorate a dynamic second-period display and rounded off the day with a fifth deep into stoppage time.
In Turners Cross, Alan Murphy’s first game as Galway WFC boss ended in a 3-0 win over Cork City.
Galway’s blend of emerging and established players were always in control as the visitors pounced for a seventh minute goal.
Republic of Ireland U19 international Nicole McNamara steered Galway in front following an early burst of pressure.
A second goal was added before the break by another Galway teenager, Aoibheann Costello, as Murphy’s team controlled the tempo.
Lynsey McKey’s clever reverse flick released Julie Ann Russell, who nudged a decent Galway outfit further clear.
Russell, sister of Sligo Rovers assistant manager, John, made a welcome return to the WNL last summer and will be a key performer for Galway in the coming weeks and months.
Wexford Youths came from behind to defeat Athlone Town 2-1 at Lissywollen. Ultimately, the visitors had to show real battling qualities to overcome Athlone, who took a surprise lead in the 44th minute.
Tommy Hewitt’s improving Athlone were ahead at half-time following an Emily Corbett goal, but Wexford responded.
Ellen Molloy’s delightful freekick restored parity in the 75th minute and Wexford subsequently scored again.
Ten minutes remained when Jess Lawler marked her debut with a vital header as Wexford Youths edged out the midlanders’.
Next on the agenda for Wexford is a clash against Shelbourne at Ferrycarrig Park. Even at this early stage of the season it will be a match worth monitoring.