Champions Athlone Town continued their unbeaten start to the season with a big come-from-behind win at home to a spirited Treaty United, and in doing so regained top spot over title rivals Shelbourne.
Having found themselves behind at the break to a well worked Maddie Robbins opener, the title hopefuls roared back in the second-half thanks to a brace from player-of-the-match Kelly Brady, sandwiched either side of Hannah Waesch's smart finish.
The visitors, if not the story of the season so far, certainly one of the most enjoyable sides to watch, started well and looked more than comfortable in possession as expected.
But with a few minutes played were guilty of over playing when Cara Griffin’s under-hit back pass allowed Kelly Brady a free run at goal. But with the goal at her mercy, opted to try to round Finnish stopper Lisa Maria Tuomi but took a slightly heavy touch as the ball ran over the endline.
The hosts began to press high and started to find their groove, spurning a couple of good chances from inside the area and just before the quarter of an hour mark Brady and Tuomi renewed rivalries.
The Athlone attacker found a yard of space to get on the end of a trademark beautifully delivered Madie Gibson cross from the left, but Tuomi was more than equal to the powerful header to keep the scores level.
The visitors remained undeterred and continued to play their own way as the high-quality encounter began to open up. Defences remained on top as the half our mark approached with the inspired Grace McInerney denying all that came her way.
The hosts would have been kicking themselves and missed yet another glorious chance to get in front. Isabel Ryan broke the offside sharply, latching onto a wonderful defence splitting pass, but just as she looked up to shoot, was brilliantly denied again by the onrushing Tuomi who stood big.
The hosts were made to pay for not taking their chances just three minutes before the break, when one of the standout players in the league Isabella Flocchini burst through midfield and played a perfectly weighted through ball to Maddie Robbins who bundled home from close range.
There was still time for Colin Fortune’s side to create a couple of goalmouth scrambles before the half with a sense of one of "those" nights beginning to creep into the stadium.
Izzy Groves was introduced at the break in a bid to haul her side level, but it was the visitors who thought they doubled their lead when the majestic Madison McGuane showed brilliant quick feet to take on all comers and burst into the area before delivering a pinpoint cross to Robbins who made no mistake, only to see the flag go up for offside.
Frustration looked to be creeping in for the home side but just after the hour mark they found themselves level when Katherine Sullivan latched on to a half cleared attempt and played Brady through, first time.
It was third time lucky for Brady who made no mistake and slotted past the helpless keeper, and it was game on.
The hosts, with the wind in their sails, piled on the pressure and 10-minutes later completed the comeback when Hannah Waesch was on hand to pick up another cleared ball, from Gibson’s initial corner, and volley home to put her side in the lead.
Katie Lawlee almost got her side back on level going on a stunning solo run before forcing Maria Mattaiou into a smart save to turn behind, but despite the resolute defending from Sean Russell’s talented side, the home side made sure of all three points when Brady finished expertly into the bottom corner from the edge of the box
Athlone Town: Maria Mattaiou, Kellie Brennan, Kayleigh Shine, Shauna Brennan, Natalie McNally, Hanna Waesch, Sarah Flannelly (Izzy Groves, 46’), Kelly Brady, Isabel Ryan (Aoife O’Connor, 84’), Madison Gibson, Katherine Sullivan
Treaty United: Liisa Maria Tuomi, Grace McInerney, Anna Rockett, Mara McCleary, Cara Griffin, Isabella Flocchini, Madelyn Robbins (Ciara Breslin, 75’), Madison McGuane, Katie Lawlee, Clodagh Daly, Jillian O’Toole
Referee: Ian O’Keefe
Elsewhere, Wexford beat Shamrock Rovers 3-2. In Tallaght stadium the hosts took the lead first with a rebound effort from ex-Republic of Ireland international Áine O'Gorman in the 20th minute. Wexford equalised ten minutes before the break with a left-footed punt from outside the box into the top corner from Ellen Molloy.
What a goal😮
— LOI Women (@LoiWomen) April 19, 2025
Ellen Molloy equalises for Wexford with a magnificent strike. pic.twitter.com/0yQO7r85KF
It was level at the break but Wexford went 3-1 up thanks to Charlotte Cromack and Molloy again, this time from the penalty spot. Joy Ralph got one back for the hoops in injury time but it was Wexford who walked away with three points and a win on the road.
Peamount United secured a 3-2 win against DLR Waves in Greenogue. It was 2-2 at the break but a 60th-minute effort from Jess Fitzgerald secured the win as there was no reply from the Dublin outfit.
In the Connacht derby, Sligo Rovers suffered a 3-1 home loss to Galway United. Emma Doherty's early strike was crucial for United who then added two late goals, but a battling Rovers side was rewarded with a fine 95th-minute strike from substitute Rachel McGoldrick.
Shelbourne beat Cork City 7-0 in Tolka Park. Shels were up by two at the break but added five more in the second-half.
The clash between Bohemians and Waterford at the RSC was postponed following a pitch inspection after heavy rainfall.
