Title-chasing Galway United remain perfect with six wins out of six after yet another impressive come-from-behind win at home to a quality Peamount side.
For the third time this season Galway have fought back to win. Eleanor Ryan-Doyle had the Peas in front early on but Emma Doherty's sixth of the season levelled just before the break.
Aoibheann Costello proved the match winner less than 10 minutes after the restart to retain her side’s spot at the top of the table.
Following a very even opening quarter of an hour in which the visitors' relentless pressing disrupted the table toppers' building from the back, it was the Peas who broke the deadlock with an exquisite finish..
Having eventually received the ball from a quick corner, Abbie Tuthill played a perfectly weighted ball over the top to find skipper Ryan-Doyle, who got in behind with some sharp movement and, facing the daunting Amanda McQuillan, kept her cool to just poke the ball through the keeper's legs.
It could have been two moments later when the imperious Aisling Spillane rose highest in a crowded area, but was unlucky to see her header come off the bar and away to safety from a dangerous inswinging corner.
But just before the half-hour mark the unbeaten home side equalised with an outstanding cross and finish. Amy Madden showed great feet to keep the ball under serious pressure and somehow dug out a pinpoint cross to find her side's all-time top scorer, Doherty, who took her overall tally to 22 with a brilliant header into the bottom corner.
In a thrilling end-to-end battle, both sides continued to play football of the highest order despite the blustery, swirling winds as the game continued at relentless pace.
Both sides exchanged good chances before the break, firstly goalscorer Doherty, full of confidence from her hat-trick at Turner's Cross last week, delivered a dangerous cross from the left that Amy Mahon failed to gather. Madden reacted quickest to the loose ball but saw her tame shot come off team-mate Aoibheann Donnelly.
Sorcha Melia was next to break the offside trap, but as she approached the edge of the box, and under pressure from a recovering Galway backline, just dragged her left-footed effort wide of the far post.
The Tribeswomen started the second half like a house on fire, forcing two early corners before taking the lead minutes after the restart. Again, it was Doherty doing the damage down the left before crossing on to the penalty spot. Dearbhaile Beirne looked to take a touch before Costello appeared out of nowhere to steal the ball with one touch and flick the ball with her left foot into the top corner.
Desperate to find an equaliser, the visitors called on another striker with Antea Guvo being introduced for Aoife O’Connor, who took a heavy knock towards the end of the first half.
Despite their best efforts in the tension-filled ending the visitors just couldn’t find, create or sustain a bout of pressure as the hosts proved too strongm seeing out the last few minutes to reinforce their status as serious challengers to Athlone Town’s crown.
Galway United: Amanda McQuillan; Aoibheann Costello, Niamh Cotter, Remini Tillotson, Lucy Jane Grant; Niamh Farrelly, Isabella Beletic; Aoibheann Donnelly (Ava Mullins, 78’), Emma Doherty (Anna McGough, 90+2’), Amy Madden (Kate Thompson, 61’); Ceola Bergin
Subs not used: Nicole Nix, Lynsey McKey, Cara Griffin, Roma McLoughlin, Heather Loomes, Eve Dossen
Peamount United: Amy Mahon: Abbie Tuthill, Meabh Russell, Della Doherty; Dearbhaile Beirne, Mary Phillips, Aisling Spillane, Sophie Byrne (Ciara O’Neill, 81’), Aoife O’Connor (Antea Guvo, 63’); Sorcha Melia, Eleanor Ryan-Doyle
Subs not used: Ciara Glackin, Kaitlyn Delahunty, Mia McGonnell, Kate O’Dowd, Ruby Gallagher
Referee: Eric Eaton
Leaders Athlone Town fought back from a two-goal half-time deficit to beat Waterford 4-2 at the RSC and continue the unbeaten start to their title defence, remaining two points behind Galway.
Meadhbh Doherty put the home side ahead before Fiana Bradley doubled their lead with a stunning strike from distance. The champions had to respond and duly did, as Dana Scheriff and Alexis Strickland scored second-half braces to secure a fifth win of the season.
Elsewhere, Shelbourne strolled to a 3-0 away win at Cork City, with goals from Maeve Wollmer, Pearl Slattery and Jessica Gargan.
Treaty United and Shamrock Rovers played out a 0-0 draw, with both sides having chances to win in a competitive second half after the visitors had failed to take advantage of a dominant first-half display.
Sligo Rovers thumped Bohemians 5-1 at the Showgrounds, Sydney Sweeney grabbing a hat-trick for the Bit O' Red, with Cara King and Cara Jordan netting once each. Alex Devoy scored the 86th minute consolations for the Gypsies.
In the late kick-off Wexford were held to a 1-1 draw at home by DLR Waves. Megan Smyth-Lynch put the Slaneysiders ahead in the 39th minute only for Siun Murdiff to equalise on the hour mark.
