Shamrock Rovers came from behind to take bragging rights over 10-player Shelbourne in a thrilling Ringsend derby in the SSE Airtricity Women's Premier Division, as Shels' winless run in Tallaght rolled on.
The Hoops hit five goals unanswered in the second half, through five different goalscorers, as Leah Doyle's red card proved pivotal.
In the sizzling south Dublin sunshine, the previously unbeaten visitors were desperately unlucky not to be ahead after a couple of minutes.
Leah Doyle’s dangerous inswinging corner was well flicked on by skipper Pearl Slattery. Former Reds stopper Amanda Budden reacted well to save but she couldn't hold on to it, causing an almighty goalmouth scramble which was eventually cleared to safety.
Wave after wave of Shels attacks rained in on the Hoops defence, the visitors racking up six corners within the first eight minutes. With just 10 minutes played they got the reward their blistering start deserved when Aoife Kelly came back to haunt her side, cleverly teeing up Republic of Ireland international Aoibheann Clancy who smashed home from the edge of the area.
The hosts eventually settled and midway through the first half began to hit back. Left-back Therese Kinnevey forced Mya Sanchez into a wonder save, tipping over a looping effort from distance.
From the resulting inswinging Ellen Molloy corner, Jess Gargan almost headed into her own net only for Maggie Pierce to come to her rescue and volley clear.
More Wollmer magic.
— League of Ireland (@LeagueofIreland) April 25, 2026
That's some hit 👏 pic.twitter.com/oRWHF8hmBm
Having earned her starting place with a goal against Waterford and being the matchwinner against neighbours Bohemians last week, the exciting Maeve Wollmer looked a real threat every time she received the ball, taking on all-comers
There was a big scare for James O’Callaghan’s side just before the break when recent Ireland call-up Maria Reynolds slipped and seemed to over extend her knee but luckily for the home faithful she was able to continue with half-time coming at the right time.
And just six minutes after the restart the 18-year-old picked up the ball wide on the left from Aoife Kelly, before cutting inside on her right foot and whipping and unstoppable strike into the top corner to double her side’s lead.
Despite the stifling heat, both sets of players continued at a relentless pace and with 25 minutes left the game completely flipped on its head. Roisin McGovern halved the deficit heading home another quality Molloy delivery.
Moments later Leah Doyle was then adjudged to have brought down Della Cowper-Gray, just inside the area, after the pacey Rovers substitute got on the wrong side of the defender in a foot race. Red card and a penalty kick.
Molloy made no mistake from 12 yards to level and set up a thrilling finale.
Despite some valiant defending, the 10-player visitors fell behind when Mia Dodd played a raking ball over the top to find Sadhbh Doyle who broke the offside trap and rounded the helpless Sanchez.
Kinnevey made sure the points stayed in Tallaght when she reacted quickest to a goalmouth scrabble and finished well under pressure.
There was still time for Della Cowper-Gray to put the icing on the cake as the hosts made the most of their player advantage as she got on the end of a brilliant, low Ella Kelly cross to make it five.
Shamrock Rovers: Amanda Budden: Lauryn O’Callaghan, Maria Reynolds, Roisin McGovern, Therese Kinnevey; Katie O’Reilly (Alice Buggle, 79’), Ellen Molloy, Caitlin St. Leger (Mia Dodd, 57’) Sadhbh Doyle, Ellen Molloy: Emily Corbet (Della Cowper-Gray, 57’)
Shelbourne: Mya Sanchez; Jess Gargan, Pearl Slattery, Maggie Pierce, Leah Doyle; Aoibheann Clancy (Nia Hannon, 72’), Alex Kavanagh, Aoife Kelly; Becky Watkins, Maeve Wollmer, Brie Severns (Olivia Damico, 63’)
Referee: Oisin Walsh
Elsewhere, Treaty United edged past Bohemians 1-0 at Dalymount Park.
Madison McGuane bagged the winner in the 51st minute, firing home a well-placed effort from inside the area.
Emma Doherty scored a brilliant hat-trick to help Galway United beat Cork City 3-0 at Turner's Cross.
She broke the deadlock in the 34th minute with a fine header, and doubled her side's advantage three minutes into the second period.
Doherty then lobbed home her third goal in the 55th minute to wrap up the win. Galway are top of the table with five wins out of five.
Peamount United and Sligo Rovers played out a 1-1 draw.
Sydney Stephens gave the Bit O'Red - yet to earn a win this season - a surprise 18th-minute lead, but the Peas levelled through Eleanor Ryan-Doyle six minutes before the break and that's how it stayed.
Athlone Town kept their unbeaten run intact with a 2-0 win at home to Wexford FC.
The reigning league champions bookended their performance with goals from Maddison Gibson in the 11th minute before Dana Scherriff wrapped up the points a minute from time.
Emma Doherty with a hat trick 😍 pic.twitter.com/9F81hksMNu
— LOI Women (@LoiWomen) April 25, 2026
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