Peamount United took a massive step towards the league title with a truly hard-fought win over Treaty United in an enthralling encounter League of Ireland Women's Premier Division clash at PRL Park.
An Erin McLaughlin double either side of the break saw the Peamount maintain their valuable six-point lead at the summit with just three games remaining, but they had to dig deep for their win when Orlagh Fitzpatrick finished brilliantly to force a nervy ending.
In truly bizarre circumstances, the home side were forced to play the opening quarter of an hour with 10-players as one of their star players, Sadhbh Doyle, was forced to remove a tiny stud in her nose piercing.
But despite the coaching and medical staff's best efforts, the situation couldn't be resolved, leaving James O’Callaghan with no option but to make an early substitution and introduce Avril Brierly for the now tearful Doyle.
Back to their full complement, the home side began to look a real threat going forward.
Having suffered a major blow in losing top scorer Kate Mooney to English side Lewes FC in the Women's Championship, it was the woman tasked with filling her boots, Ellen Dolan, who went close twice in quick succession.
Firstly, the hard-working striker did well to get on the end of a low Dearbhaile Beirne cross from the left but saw her first-time strike sail just over. Minutes later, Dolan rose highest in a crowded area but failed to hit the target with a powerful header.
The left-hand side for Peamount was causing all sorts of problems for the visitors, with Beirne bombing on from left back, and it was this same avenue which earned the table-toppers a chance to get in front.
Linking up well with the new starlet on the block, Freya Healy, Beirne burst into the area before being brought down by Chloe McCarthy.
The Match winner in their last meeting, Erin McLoughlin, took on the responsibility and made no mistake from 12 yards.
While there was a 35-point gap between the sides prior to kick off, that difference wasn't obvious on the field battle with visitors continuing to carry a threat, starting the second half strongly.
But Peamount showed just why they are champions elect as they got back into their rhythm. Dolan was denied by Anne-Marie Ulliac with the Canadian 'keeper reacting brilliantly to close down the angle just before the twinkle toed Healy showed incredible feet down the inside left channel to create the second.
The Irish under-19 attacker twisted and turned her way to a yard of space before cleverly cutting back for McLaughlin to grab her second of the game.
The stubborn visitors didn’t drop the heads though, and ex-Pea’s star Orlagh Fitzpatrick halved the deficit just moments later, taking advantage of some sloppy play at the back before finishing brilliantly over the retreating Niamh Coombes into the far top corner.
As the minutes ticked on towards the tension filled 90-minute mark, the visitors - despite a change of formation and going two up front with the introduction of Hannah Saidi - just struggled to force that one clear cut chance.
The home side stood firm much to the delight of the home support as they are within touching distance of their first title in three years.
Peamount United: Niamh Coombes, Lauryn O’Callaghan, Jetta Berrill, Chloe Moloney, Dearbhaile Beirne, Karen Duggan, Jessica Fitzgerald, Sadhbh Doyle (Avril Brierly, 14’ (Mia McGonnell, 85’), Erin McLaughlin, Ellen Dolan, Freya Healy.
Treaty United: Anne-Marie Ulliac, Grace McInerney, Chloe McCarthy, Jessica Heffernan (Hannah Saidi, 85’), Orlagh Fitzpatrick, Meghan Carr (Aoife Cronin, 45’), Leah Martin (Eabha O’Driscoll, 60’), Yanna Leahy (Katie Lawlee, 45’), Cara Griffin, Shauna Pearson, Aoibhe Fleming.
Referee: Oliver Moran.
Elsewhere, Shamrock Rovers leap-frogged Shelbourne into second spot after a 3-1 home win in their Dublin derby.
A devastating opening 45 minutes saw the hosts lead by three at the interval, all but wrapping up the points by the halfway stage.
After good work from Aine O'Gorman kept the ball alive, Scarlett Herron put Rovers ahead in the 14th minute as her long-range effort deceived visiting 'keeper Amanda McQuillan. McQuillan was then caught out again by O'Gorman's delivery into the box that looped into the goal.
Rovers moved three ahead in the 41st minute when Alannah McEvoy turned home following a swift counter-attack.
Shelbourne improved in the second half and were rewarded with a superb goal in the closing moments as Rebecca Devereux turned beautifully on the edge of the box and curled past Amanda Budden.
Sligo Rovers were hoping for a third straight win when they hosted basement side Cork City at the Showgrounds, but they had to be content with a share of the spoils after a six-goal thriller.
It was all going so well for Rovers, who face Athlone in the FAI Cup semi-final next weekend, as they led 3-0 at the break with a Casey Howe penalty sandwiched between an Emma Doherty brace.
However, Laura Shine gave Cork hope in the 57th minute and Kiera Sena followed that up with their second two minutes later.
It was three goals in just five minutes as Alex Mendez saw her corner find the net to complete an unlikely comeback.
It was also an entertaining contest at Bohemians who drew 2-2 with Wexford Youths leaving both clubs separated by just a point in fifth and sixth place respectively.
The visitors got off to a quick start with Ellen Molloy opening the scoring on seven minutes, placing a right-footed shot into the bottom corner from the edge of the box.
But Bohs levelled just after the half hour mark after Mia Dodd scored from distance.
The hosts built on that by taking the lead through a Katie Malone goal on 61 minutes but had goalkeeper Rachael Kelly sent off for a foul on Abbie Brophy that resulted in a Wexford penalty.
Molloy saw her spot kick saved by Medbh Ryan but Wexford did earn a share of the spoils when Kylie Murphy scored a subsequent penalty awarded for a Bohs handball.
Athlone Town remain two points behind Wexford in seventh after a 1-0 home win over DLR Waves.
The goal that proved to be the winner arrived on 24 minutes via Jesi Rossman for last season's league and cup runners-up.
Athlone will now turn their attentions to next Saturday's Sports Direct Women's FAI Cup semi-final at Sligo Rovers, with
