Champions Athlone Town were held by a gallant Treaty United at the Markets Field, an outcome that pushes Colin Fortune's side three points clear at the top of the Women's Premier Division.
Kayleigh Shine's opener for the visitors was cancelled out by a stunning Katie Lawlee strike. With Cardiff City to come in an historic Champions League tie next week, Athlone could have been forgiven for looking beyond the Shannonsiders.
Isabel Ryan replaced Madison Gibson from the draw with Galway United last Saturday, showing Colin Fortune was focused on this tie. Treaty, meanwhile were looking to build on an impressive away success against Cork City.
Sean Russell’s side have been competitive all season. This is a first draw and perhaps turning defeats into draws will be key to a successful campaign. Treaty had earlier spurned chances through Madelyn Robbins – the second of which saw her race clear following a Isabella Flocchini pass – only for Megan Plaschko to speed out to deny her with a superb save. Less than 100 seconds later, the ball was in the net at the other end.
After hesitation in the home defence, the home side conceded a needless corner-kick. Katie Shine’s well weighted corner kicked dipped perfectly beneath the bar and was over the line before a defender or attacker could get a touch. It gave the Midlanders the early advantage and appeared to knock United after a high-energy start.
Kelly Brady struck the bar from an acute angle on 18 minutes, her left-footed effort perhaps needed to be guided across the keeper, rather than a blasted effort from ten yards.Brady was inches away from doubling the lead on the half-hour, springing the cover only to shoot narrowly wide across goal.Teenager Lawlee thundered in an equaliser on the stroke of half-time.
The Limerick native waited for a cut Madelyn Robbins cutback and after a wonderful first touch, blasted in off the underside of the bar from just inside the area.This was the first goal conceded by on the road by Athlone, with four successful shutouts a big reason they are top of the table.After a cagey second period, both had half chances to take the spoils.
Lawlee again for Treaty, but Athlone came closest. Another Shine corner caused another issue late on, but Athlone struggled to penetrate the defence led superbly by Mara McCleary. Lucy Fitzgerald, however, passed up a golden opportunity in stoppage time.Athlone now prepare for that huge Champions League clash with Welsh champions, Cardiff on Wednesday next.
The fixture may evoke memories of their men’s side entertaining AC Milan in 1975. The winners will play ZNK Agram, also in Athlone, on 2 August.
Treaty United: Liisa Tuomi; Grace McInerney, Mara McCleary, Aibhlinn Cotter, Ayaka Ikeza (Laura O’Neill 90); Kate Jones, Jillian O’Toole, Madison McGuane (Cara Griffin 82), Isabella Flocchini; Madelyn Robbins (Ciara Breslin 65); Katie Lawlee.
Athlone Town: Megan Plaschko; Kayleigh Shine (C), Natalie McNally, Shauna Brennan; Kellie Brennan, Hannah Waesch, Roisin Molloy, Emma Mooney (Aoife O’Connor 90), Sarah Rice, Isabel Ryan (Lucy Fitzgerald 67); Kelly Brady (Hazel Donegan 51).
