Galway United lead the way in the SSE Airtricity Women's Premier Division after late goals from Remini Tillotson and Niamh Farrelly saw the Tribeswomen overcome Athlone Town in their top-of-the-table clash at Eamonn Deacy Park.
Alexis Strickland headed last year's double winners into the lead before half-time, but two strikes in the closing stages from the home side turned this game on its head as United deservedly took the points.
The Lissywollen outfit played the final 20 or so minutes without their full 11 after Kellie Brennan was sent off. The result means that the westerners are now the only unbeaten side in the division.
Athlone led their opponents in the league table by virtue of a slightly superior goal difference heading into this N6 derby. But it was the hosts who had the better of things despite trailing at half-time.
Dana Scheriff did nod a Maddie Gibson cross over Amanda McQuillan's cross bar early on as Athlone pressed United, but the home side seemed able to find space behind a high Athlone midfield.
What a strike from Remini Tilloston to equalize for the hosts🔥 pic.twitter.com/b4fZr9QIZ3
— LOI Women (@LoiWomen) May 23, 2026
Republic of Ireland international and Galway midfielder Niamh Farrelly saw her audacious volley from 40 yards land narrowly wide of the target on 11 minutes after careless play from last year's champions, while Kate Thompson's effort lacked conviction after she was sent through on goal following a well-worked one-two between herself and the much involved Farrelly.
Played in overcast conditions on the Atlantic coast, this contest hd a tremendous pace and Phil Trill's Galway almost raced ahead just past the half-hour mark. Full-back Tillotson's diving header from an Aoibhin Donnelly set-piece screamed past Courtney Maguire's back post.
The midlanders took the lead two minutes before the interval.
McQuillan was pleased to have tipped Strickland's initial header over her crossbar, but North Carolina's Strickland struck from the resulting corner to nod the FAI Cup holders into the lead.
The early stages of this second period saw the ball spend plenty of time in and around the Athlone area. United's Aoibheann Costello spurned a wonderful chance to level proceedings after Emma Doherty had herded the ball around Maguire. With the Athlone net-minder otherwise occupied in her attempts to block Doherty, Costello could only fire over from close range with effectively an open goal ahead of her.
Costello was involved again on 66 minutes when Athlone were reduced to 10 players after Kellie Brennan tripped the Claregalway woman as she burned a path towards goal. Referee Glen Greaghty decided Brennan had denied a clear goalscoring opportunity.
What a header from Niamh Farrelly putting Galway in the lead 🤩 pic.twitter.com/0u4b7PQaB1
— LOI Women (@LoiWomen) May 23, 2026
The Corribsiders were finally rewarded for their perseverance three minutes from time and deservedly restored parity when Michigan native Tillotson leveled the game with a jaw-dropping effort from 30 yards, the defender's rocket from distance arrowing its way beyond Maguire's stretch for her first goal of the season.
The late drama continued into injury time when player of the match Farrelly headed a Costello cross past the stricken Maguire in the second of the added minutes.
Galway United: Amanda McQuillan, Aoibheann Costello, Lucy-Jane Grant, Eve Dossen, Niamh Farrelly, Aoibhin Donnelly, Kate Thompson, Remini Tillotson, Isabella Beletic, Emma Doherty (Anna McGough 96), Amy Madden (Cara Griffin 77).
Athlone Town: Courtney Maguire, Kellie Brennan, Kayleigh Shine, Shauna Brennan, Hannah Waesch, Dana Scheriff, Kerry-Ann Brown, Roisin Molloy, Emma Mooney (Melissa O'Kane 61), Maddie Gibson, Alexis Strickland (Noelle Murray 68).
Referee: Glen Geraghty.
Shelbourne produced a stunning comeback to beat Peamount United 4-2 at Greenogue and keep the heat on Athlone and Galway.
The hosts got off to the pefect start when Eleanor Ryan-Doyle heading in a fourth-minute opener. It got even better for the Peas six minutes before the break, Aoife O'Connor firing home from outside the box.
However, that merely served to shake Shels into life. Olivia Damico bagged an excellent brace in the space of a minute to draw them level bfore the break, and with Peamount's heads still spinning, they picked up where they left off on the turnaround.
Brianne Severns prodded home in the 52nd minute to put Shels in front for the first time, with Rebecca Watkins finishing off a brilliant 67th-minute counter to wrap it up.
Shamrock Rovers had too much for DLR Waves at Tallaght Stadium, earning a 2-0 win thanks to goals from Katie O'Reilly and Jaime Thompson in each half.
Sligo Rovers moved up to fifth after 4-0 defeat of bottom side Cork City.
The Bit O'Red did all the damage in the first half as Sydney Stephens (2), Cara King and Anna McDaniel found the net.
Treaty United and Wexford played out a 1-1 draw at Markets Field.
Ciara Breslin put the home side ahead in the 37th minute but Megan Smyth-Lynch levelled on the stroke of half-time and that's how it stayed.
Ninth-placed Bohemians remain one point ahead of Waterford after their goalless draw at Dalymount Park.
