Champions Peamount United were pushed all the way to earn a hard-fought three points at home against an excellent Wexford side, who were forced to play the closing stages with 10 players.
A late Erin McLaughlin penalty - following Wexford captain Kylie Murphy's dismissal - meant the points remained at PRL Park, with little between the sides over the course of a heated encounter.
Prior to kick off, there was a beautifully observed minute's silence for the father of hugely popular Wexford winger Abbie Brophy, who died just a few days ago.
The Pea’s, looking for some home comforts having been edged out by title rivals Shelbourne last time out at PRL Park, started on the front foot against a visiting side boasting some serious attacking threat of their own, albeit without star forward Rianna Jarrett.
Irish International McLaughlin was at the heart of everything for the hosts, pulling the strings in the attacking midfield position although Wexford stopper Jayne Merren remained untested in the early exchanges..
Having settled into the game, the aforementioned firepower from the visitors began to come to the fore. The enigmatic Ellen Molloy began to find pockets of space and former Women’s National League Player of the Year, Emily Corbet, showed her class with some excellent link up play.
As the rip-roaring first half flew past, the needle in the game grew too with some tough tackles and contentious decisions only adding fuel to the fire.
It was the hosts who looked the more likely to break the deadlock though. The Irish under-19 contingent of Freya Healy, Jess Fitzgerald and Ellen Dolan all went agonisingly close through strikes from distance, with the hard-working Dolan smashing the crossbar midway through the half.
But the threat from the visitors lingered and it was another Irish International, Molloy, the biggest thorn in the side for the champions, who was unlucky to see her powerful strike from the left side smartly saved by Niamh-Reid Burke just before the break.
The pace showed no sign of letting up despite the half-time break and it was Hugh Strong’s side who had the first huge chance of the second period. Following a clever exchange on the left, skipper Kylie Murphy played Ciara Rossiter through clear on goal, but was met swiftly by Reid-Burke who smothered the strike.
The home side responded with spate of corners in their bid to regain control and went close again from distance when Lauryn O’Callaghan saw her right footed effort sail just wide of the top corner.
With both sides seemingly unable to make the breakthrough, and seemingly destined to share the spoils, the game ended in dramatic circumstances when Peamount were awarded a massive opportunity from the spot with just five minutes remaining.
Following a scramble in the area, and the Wexford defence at sixes and sevens, Ellen Dolan rose highest in the packed area. Her downward header was then cleared off the line by the arm of Kylie Murphy.
While it was down by her side, the referee had no hesitation pointing to the spot, and brandished the red card in the direction of the Wexford skipper.
McLaughlin shouldered the responsibility and kept a cool head to dispatch the penalty and earn her side a huge three points.
Elsewhere in the Women's Premier Division, Cork City edged out hosts Bohemians 1-0, table-toppers Galway United prevailed 3-2 in a thriller on their travels in Sligo, defending champions Shelbourne were held 1-1 away to Athlone Town, and Shamrock Rovers and Treaty United shared the spoils in a 2-2 draw.
Peamount: Niamh Reid-Burke, Lauryn O’Callaghan, Jetta Berrill, Ciara Maher, Dearbhaile Beirne, Karen Duggan, Jess Fitzgerald, Mia McGonnell (Sadhbh Doyle, 75’) Erin McLaughlin, Freya Healy, Ellen Dolan
Wexford FC: Jayne Merren, Abby Tuthill, Orlaith Conlon, Della Doherty, Kylie Murphy, Emily Corbet (Leah McGrath, 57’), Ellen Molloy, Ceola Bergin (Mia Lenihan, 69’), Ciara Rossiter (Teegan Lynch, 69’), Meabh Russell, Aoibheann Clancy (Aine Walsh, 90’)
Referee: Jason Moore
