Peamount United took the bragging rights over Shamrock Rovers in a fiery South Dublin derby, as 371 basked in the Tallaght sunshine.
Goals either side of the break from player of the match Sophie Byrne and Sorcha Melia earned a massive three points in what some dubbed as 'The James O'Callaghan derby’ with former Bohemians defender Roisin McGovern seeing red for a second yellow late on.
Having taken the reins at the Hoops, former Peamount legend O’Callaghan strengthened his new side with a number of former Peas stars, giving the game an extra bit of spice, as if it was needed.
But it was two former Shamrock Rovers youths who stole the show.
Under the watchful eye of Ireland boss Carla Ward, both sides showed no restraint as challenges flew in all over the pitch, epitomised by former midfield team-mates Sadhbh Doyle and Mary Philips.
The home side had much the better of the opening exchanges, spurning some glorious opportunities in the process.
The lightning quick Ella Kelly almost had too much time on her hands as she found herself clear at the back post from a deep cross floated in from the right wing but dragged her shot wide of the near post.
Moments later Emily Corbet again found space in a crowded penalty box, but failed to guide her header on target.
Having started so well and sensing a goal was a matter of time, Corbet then broke the visitors' offside trap with a clever run and found herself through on goal. The expectant, drum-banging home support waited for the net to burst but the striker missed at the near post.
But with a half hour played, the sucker punch came for the hosts.
Continuing the theme of former players looking to haunt their old sides, ex-Shamrock Rovers midfielder and current Ireland underage international, Byrne (below), reacted quickest after some goalmouth pinball to give her side the lead from close range and stun the home side.
The Peas then caught the hosts cold less than two minutes after the restart when another former Rovers' youth, Sorcha Melia, latched on to a wonderful defence-splitting pass from the imperious Aisling Spillane.
Having seen her initial shot bravely blocked by the onrushing Amanda Budden and trickle onto the post, the 18-year-old reacted quickest to tap home.
Doyle then missed a gilt-edged chance to half the deficit minutes later, missing the target with a header from a deep Jamie Thompson free-kick as the Hoops tried desperately to claw their way back into the game.
A triple substitution for the home side quickly followed but failed to have the instant impact it needed as the visitors sensed blood.
Skipper Eleanor Ryan-Doyle was millimetres away from adding a third, seeing her free-kick fly over the wall but also whizz past the post, right after Aoife O’Connor rattled the crossbar from distance.
Things went from bad-to-worse for Rovers when McGovern was shown a second yellow for bundling over Spillane who tried to get through on goal, ending any hopes of a revival as the young Peas side held on for a massive victory that will go a long way in their development as a new-look outfit.
Bohemians picked up their first win of the season as they defeated Cork City 3-0 at Dalymount Park.
Ciara Maher grabbed a brace before the break – both close finishes as corners caused confusion for City – with Savannah Kane coming off the bench to confirm the points in the 74th minute.
There was another 3-0 home win on Saturday – another brace from a Ciara, Breslin this time - as Treaty United got the better of Waterford.
Breslin's neat finish on the stroke of half-time gave the home side the interval lead, with the same player pouncing on a rebound in the 73rd minute. Kate Jones added a third with a looping header in the 76th minute.
After two rounds, Galway United are the only side sitting on six points after a 2-1 home win over Sligo Rovers.
It was Sligo who took the lead seven minutes in following a brilliant individual Sydney Stephens effort, but Ceola Bergin levelled from the penalty spot in the final seconds.
The same player grabbed the winner for Galway in the 56th minute – once again from the penalty spot.
Wexford and Shelbourne played out a 1-1 draw.
Olivia Damico haves Shels the lead in the 29th minute, but Ciara Rossiter replied six minutes later.
Dana Scheriff's 72nd-minute strike proved decisive as Athlone Town beat DLR Waves 1-0.
Shamrock Rovers: Amanda Budden; Lauryn O’Callaghan, Maria Reynolds, Roisin McGovern, Therese Kennevey; Katie O’Reilly (Della Cowper-Gray, 66), Jaime Thompson (Caitlin St Leger, 66), Sadhbh Doyle, Ella Kelly; Ellen Molloy, Emily Corbet (Kassie McLoughlin, 66).
Subs not used: Erica Turner, Mia Dodd, Amy Byrne-Stephens, Nicole Fox, Taylor White, Hailey Twomey.
Peamount: Niamh Coombes: Meabh Russell, Abbie Tuthill, Della Doherty, Ciara O’Neill; Aoife O’Connor, Aisling Spillane, Mary Phillips, Sophie Byrne (Antea Guvo, 84); Sorcha Melia (Mia McGonnell. 90+4), Eleanor Ryan-Doyle (Nadine Clare, 90).
Subs not used: Ciara Glackin, Lucy McCartan, Kaitlyn Delahunty, Orlagh Fitzpatrick, Kate O’Dowd.
Referee: Robert Dowling.
