Despite an impressive victory over Bohemians, some of the Athlone players had their head in their hands at Dalymount as the news filtered through from Ferrycarrig park that Shelbourne had been crowned league champions for the 2022 season.
Prior to kick-off, the permutations had been clear: a draw between Wexford Youths and Shelbourne, coupled with an Athlone win at Dalymount, would mean a play-off for the title between Shels and Athlone.
Knowing that only a win would do, it was the visitors who had the more encouraging start but they were met by a resolute Bohs defence being well marshalled by Ciara Maher.
Despite having nothing to play for, Bohs wanted to end their season on a high and were very unlucky not to go ahead midway through the first half. Lisa Murphy delivered a raking free-kick from deep that found the towering Chloe Darby at the back post - she did brilliantly to guide her header back across goal but it narrowly missed the target.
It's been quite an incredible season for Athlone, who finished seventh last season but find themselves in a Cup final as well as taking their title charge to the last day.
Much of their success has been down to the league's joint top-scorer Emily Corbet and minutes later she did well to fashion a yard of space in the crowded area but couldn't keep her shot down.
Gillian Keenan missed a glorious chance to put her side ahead just minutes later but failed to generate the right power or direction on her header from five yards out, as the ball sailed straight at the retreating Rachael Kelly in the Bohs goal.
The visitors were beginning to ramp up the pressure as Bohs failed to make the ball stick in the final third, inviting waves of pressure. Just after the half-hour mark Kate Slevin rattled the Gypsies' crossbar with a volley from all of 35 yards.
As the half drew to a close Madison Gibson stung the palms of Kelly, cutting in on her left foot and hitting a rasping effort. As the players left the pitch at the end of the opening period, the bad news seeped through that Shelbourne had taken the lead in Wexford.
Despite the news that their chance at a shoot-out for the title was slipping away, it didn't seem to affect Athone too much as they came flying out of the traps for the second half, knowing their task hadn’t changed.
Seven minutes after the restart a wonderful free-flowing move eventually found its way to Keena on the left wing and she delivered a pinpoint cross onto the head of Emily Corbet. The Laois native didn't need a second invitation, making no mistake with her header from six-yards out.
GOAL ⚽️ | Bohemians 0-1 Athlone Town
— Women's National League (@LoiWomen) October 29, 2022
Athlone Town take the lead at Dalymount Park through Emily Corbet!
Watch it LIVE on LOITV 👉 https://t.co/ltfwALep4e#WNL | #LOITV pic.twitter.com/H1HP6U9QMJ
But disaster struck for Athlone just after the hour mark. Bohs responded brilliantly to going a goal behind and put together a nice move down the right between Abbie Brophy and Annmarie Byrne.
The latter delivered a floated ball to the back post where Kira Bates-Crosbie who nodded home from close range. And almost simultaneously, Shels got a second against Youths to put one hand on the trophy.
Athlone spirits lifted again substitute Scarlett Herron rose like a salmon to put her side 2-1 ahead with a powerful effort, for the third headed goal of the evening.
GOAL ⚽️ | Bohemians 1-2 Athlone Town
— Women's National League (@LoiWomen) October 29, 2022
Scarlett Herron heads home a corner to put Athlone back in front!
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Fellow substitute Kellie Brenna looked to buck the trend of headers when she latched onto a clever through ball but her powerful strike smashed the underside of the bar and somehow bounced out, just before referee Alan Patchell brought the curtain down on another WNL season.
It has been a positive season for Bohs, showing they can be competitive in a tough league despite their relative infancy, with the highlight being an impressive Cup run where they narrowly lost out to Shelbourne in the semi-final.
Tommy Hewitt’s Athlone side will have to put this disappointment behind them as the focus now turns to a mouthwatering Cup Final against Shels on 6 November.
Bohemian FC: Rachael Kelly, AnnMarie Byrne, Katie Burdis, Lisa Murphy, Kira Bates-Crosbie, Ciara Maher, Erica Burke (Sinead Taylor, 48’), Chloe Darby, Abbie Brophy, Rachel Doyle, Katie Lovely.
Athlone Town: Ciara Glackin, Jessica Hennessy, Muireann Devaney, Gillian Keenan, Emily Corbet (Kellie Brennan, 68’), Laurie Ryan, Madison Gibson, Kelsey Munroe (Scarlett Herron, 68’), Roisin Molloy, Kate Slevin, Melissa O’Kane.
Referee: Alan Patchell
