A late Sadhbh Doyle goal in front of a record crowd put Peamount in the driving seat in the title race as they moved six points clear of challengers Shamrock Rovers in Tallaght Stadium this evening.
Collie O'Neill made one change to his line up this evening after a draw with Bohemians last weekend. Jamie Thompson started in the place of Abby Tuthill, while injury doubt Stephanie Zambra was fit enough for the bench.
For the visitors, James O'Callaghan made two changes to his side after a thrilling 5-3 win against Athlone Town last time out. Shot stopper Niamh Burke Reid was recalled along with Jetta Berrill. Niamh Coombes and Ellen Dolan both dropped out of the match day squad.
Rovers started with real intent, moving the ball slickly across the wet surface showing why they are challenging for the title a season after returning to the Women’s Premier Division.
However, it was Peamount who began to control proceedings as the contest wore on. Karen Duggan’s passing and Doyle’s runs off the ball were causing problems for the Rovers back four.
It was one of these Doyle runs that brought the first opportunity of the game when her cross from the right-hand side was met by Becky Watkins, but her header was easily saved by Amanda Budden.
The Peas were then forced into an early change when Watkins, who tried to continue, was forced off with an injury.
The opening half was a tense affair, with both sides not wanting to make a mistake that could give their opponents the upper hand in this title race.
Rovers started the second half brightly like the first, looking to get that that elusive goal. Skipper Aine O’Gorman escaped her marker out wide and her cross forced Reid Burke into action who had to come off the line to claim.
Ireland international Tara O’Hanlon was giving Rovers issues on the left-hand side with her speed threating on the flanks. Jessica Gargan and O’Gorman both got booked for late tackles on the Peas full back trying to stop her marauding down the left.
Shamrock Rovers should have scored in 74th minute, after Jessica Hennessey found Gargan in space. She whipped a fantastic ball into the penalty area but somehow Thompson sent her header over the top from close range.
Just as the game appeared to be heading for a draw, a breaking ball dropped to Erin McLaughlin and she slipped Doyle through on goal. The midfielder kept her composure, slotting the ball over Budden into the net to put Peamount in front..
It could have been two in the final moments when April Brierley went through on goal, but Budden came off the line to deal with the threat.
The result meant three points for Peamount United who go into the mid-season league top of the pile and more importantly, put distance between them and Shamrock Rovers.
Elsewhere in the league Galway United claimed a routine 2-0 victory over Sligo Rovers.
The Bit o Red have just one win and one draw to their name this season and goals from Therese Kinnevey and Jenna Slattery in either half saw Galway take all three points.
Shelbourne leap-frogged Shamrock Rovers into second place on goal difference after their 5-0 hammering of Wexford Youths.
Jessica Stapleton, Hannah Healy, Christie Gray, Jemma Quinn and Kerri Letmon were all on the mark for Shels.
Bohemians claimed a 2-1 victory at home to Cork City. Niamh Prior and Ciara Maher scored in the first-half for Bohs and all Cork could muster in reply was an injury-time consolation goal from Kiera Sena.
The day's other game was a scoreless draw between DLR Waves and Treaty United.
Shamrock Rovers WFC: Amanda Budden; Jessica Gargan, Jessica Hennessy, Savannah McCarthy, Lia O'Leary; Aoife Kelly, Abbie Larkin, Alannah McEvoy (Lauren Kelly 78), Aine O'Gorman, Melissa O'Kane; Jaime Thompson.
Subs not used: Summer Lawless, Aoibhe Fleming, Chloe McCarthy, Hannah Martin, Lauryn McCabe, Orlaith O'Mahony, Alannah Prizeman, Stephanie Zambra.
Peamount United: Niamh Reid Burke; Jetta Berrill, Chloe Moloney, Lauryn O'Callaghan , Tara O'Hanlon; Sadhbh Doyle (Freya Healy 90), Karen Duggan, Jessica Fitzgerald, Erin McLaughlin, Becky Watkins (Avril Brierley 26); Kate Mooney.
Subs not used: Niamh Richardson, Dearbhaile Beirne, Sarah Power, Shannon Thomas, Rachel McGrath, Orlagh Fitzpatrick, Louise Masterson.
