Peamount United came from behind to grab a massive three points with captain Karen Duggan proving the hero as the champions played host to pretenders to their throne Athlone Town.
Under the watchful eye of Irish senior boss Eileen Gleeson, the pressure was on Ciaran Kilduff's side after they saw themselves leapfrogged at the summit earlier in the day as Shelbourne ran out 4-0 winners at home to DLR Waves.
Many of those who were at Tolka Park made their way down to PRL Park hoping for a favour from the home side as the thrilling title race rolled on.
The hosts have had a busy few days in the transfer market reinforcing their squad with three additions but were dealt a huge blow for the remainder of the season with the news breaking that star midfielder, and Irish International, Erin McLoughlin would be heading across the water to join Portsmouth Women's team.
But on the flip side James O’Callaghan - who recently celebrated his UEFA Pro-Licence qualification - added Aoife Brophy and former striker Michelle Doonan, both of whom went straight into the starting eleven, while their third signing, Kerri Letmon, took her place on the bench.
Following a frenetic start there were huge calls for a penalty from the visitors' bench with just a couple of minutes played when the lively Casey Howe looked to have gotten goal-side of Duggan.
But just as the Peas skipper hooked her clearance away, she also seemed to make contact with the Athlone number nine at the same time. There was nothing doing as referee Lucas Keating waved away the protests.
The game was being played at relentless pace and Doonan was straight into the action for her new side blasting an effort just over before Maddie Gibson forced Niamh Reid-Burke into an excellent low save as she struck across goal.
The all-action Ellen Dolan, fresh from her heroic exploits with the Ireland under-19 side who showed real quality and bravery in the recent European Championship campaign recently, was at the heart of everything good for the home side, even though she was being deployed out of position on the left wing.
Minutes before the break the deadlock was finally broken and it was the pacey Gibson’s dangerously whipped cross that did the damage. Peamount left back Dearbhaile Beirne under pressure got her clearance all wrong, volleying past Reid-Burke and into her own net.
The champions, as expected, came out like a side possessed in a bid to level. Another Irish under-19 star on show in Jess Fitzgerald delivered two quality set-pieces that caused all sorts of carnage in the Athlone area, who to their credit stood big to clear on both occasions.
The one-way traffic began to slow as the second progressed and just as it looked like hope was fading for the home side, much like the sunlight in the background, Peamount forced an equaliser with just over 10-minutes remaining.
Rebecca Watkins showed great strength at the back post to hold off her marker, but unfortunately saw her strike come off the foot of the goal frame but thankfully saw it fall to the feet of debutant Letmon to slot home.
A feisty and dramatic ending saw crunching challenges galore as both sides tried desperately to get the winner and with just four minutes remaining it was the home side who managed to get the all-important goal, when Duggan fired home from close range following another almighty goalmouth scramble to inflict just the second league defeat of the season upon their high-flying visitors.
Captain Duggan 🤩
— LOI Women (@LoiWomen) July 27, 2024
Peamount are ahead against Athlone!#WLOI | @SportTG4
pic.twitter.com/sFnuKsOqDT
As a result, Shelbourne sit three points clear at the top of the SSE Airtricity Women's Premier Division on Saturday night after that comprehensive victory over the Waves.
Skipper Pearl Slattery got the ball rolling on 19 minutes, holding the ball up from a Christie Gray pass before turning the defender and slotting into the bottom corner.
Noelle Murray made it 2-0 just before the break before Gray got on the scoresheet herself on 49 minutes, with Katie McCarn adding a fourth just before the final whistle.
Wexford's good form continued as a last-gasp Ellen Molloy piledriver secured a dramatic 2-1 win over Treaty United at the Markets Field.
The visitors took an early lead through Ceola Bergin and held on until the 81st minute, when Danielle Steel equalised for the hosts from the spot.
As the clock ticked into the fourth minute of added time, Molloy embarked on a run through the middle before firing a shot into the net from 20 yards to secure victory for Wexford.
🎥 | GOAL!
— LOI Women (@LoiWomen) July 27, 2024
Right at the death! Ellen Molloy delivers a beauty to get Wexford the win 😮💨#WLOI | #LOITV pic.twitter.com/DlorloD19Y
At Dalymount Park, a 34th minute Katie Malone goal was enough to secure a 1-0 victory for Bohemians against Sligo Rovers.
Shamrock Rovers and Cork City played out a 1-1 draw at Tallaght Stadium, where a Jessica Hennessy own goal early in the second half gave the visitors the lead.
Lia O'Leary then set up Ireland under-19 team-mate Joy Ralph for a late equaliser for the Hoops.
Peamount United: Niamh Reid-Burke, Chloe Moloney, Rebecca Watkins, Freya Healy (Kerri Letmon, 63'), Jess Fitzgerald, Ellen Dolan, Karen Duggan, Dearbhaile Beirne, Ciara Maher, Aoife Brophy, Michelle Doonan (Carla McManus
Subs not used: Niamh Richardson, Niamh Coombes, Lauryn O’Callaghan, Lucy McCarton, 73’) Shannon Thomas, Mia McGonnell, Toni Ceno
Athlone Town: Katie Keane, Kellie Brennan, Kayleigh Shine, Shauna Brennan, Jesi Lynne Rossman, Chloe Singleton, Casey Howe, Kerryanne Brown (Isabel Ryan, 65’) Laurie Ryan, Roisin Molloy (Brenda Ebika Tabe, 80’), Maddie Gibson
Subs not used: Ciara Glackin, Taylor Anderson, Emily Burke, Mary Philips, Aoife Murphy O’Connor, Hazel Donegan, Ciara O’Neill
Referee: Lucas Keating
