WNL Report: Shelbourne Ladies 1 - 4 Peamount United

Peamount United shocked fellow presumptive title contenders Shelbourne with an opening-day 4-1 win in the snow at the FAI National Training Centre on St Patrick's Day afternoon.

Áine O'Gorman scored twice on her latest Peamount debut, while Amber Barrett and Sarah McKevitt were also on target, as the Peas blew Shels away with their attacking ability.

Ireland striker Leanne Kiernan pulled a goal back for Shelbourne late in the day but there could be little dispute about the outcome, even if the margin did slightly flatter the visitors.

A lively start saw Peamount take the initiative from the off, forcing an early corner before one of three new arrivals from UCD Waves, Claire Walsh, saw her shot blocked.

Moments later, Kiernan had a golden opportunity when played in by Alex Kavanagh but she was foiled in her effort to dribble the ball around Peamount keeper Naoise McAloon.

Peamount believed they has taken the lead after 12 minutes when more positive build-up play saw McKevitt strike the ball decisively, it appeared, low into the bottom corner.

The ball seemed to hit the post at the back of the net and bounced back into play and, though both sets of players stopped, referee Paula Brady waved play on and the ball was shovelled behind.

After consulting with her official, a corner kick was given, the official later reasoning that 'the whole ball didn't cross the line.'

The Peamount players and staff were incredulous, while the Reds bench stayed silent, presumably in the hope their luck would hold out.

It wouldn't hold out long, however, as the west Dublin side hit the front just past the midway point in the first half.

Jess Gleeson – a winter recruit from champions Wexford Youths – tripped Barrett on the edge of the box, and O'Gorman extracted maximum reward with a free kick planted in the top corner.

Shelbourne enjoyed their best period of the game in the aftermath of the goal, and Kavanagh was the first to test the reflexes of McAloon with a well-struck shot from distance.

Five minutes later, a classy spin and shot on the turn from Kiernan saw McAloon only able to parry clear, and Roma McLaughlin saw her first-time volley crash back off the upright.

Shels came out firing after the break in search of an equaliser, but they were stung after six minutes when Barrett showed good composure to find the corner of Amanda McQuillan's net.

On the hour mark, Peamount made it three as McKevitt got the goal she was harshly denied early in the first half, slotting home at the back post after Barrett's initial effort was saved.

The best was yet to come as an audacious scooped pass from Eleanor Ryan Doyle picked out O'Gorman on the right, and she cut inside before thrashing a shot past the shell-shocked McQuillan.

The game opened up considerably as Shelbourne threw caution to the wind, and Lucy McCartan shot just wide before McQuillan saved from Ryan Doyle at her near post.

Barrett shot just wide and substitute Megan Lynch forced another save from McQuillan as Peamount continued to press their advantage, but some consolation did eventually come Shels' way.

A free-kick into the box was flicked on by Alannah McEvoy and Kiernan found a yard of space to squeeze a shot in at the far post.

Shelbourne: Amanda McQuillan; Lynn Craven, Jamie Finn, Jessica Gleeson, Niamh Prior; Tiegen Ruddy, Roma McLaughlin, Alex Kavanagh (Kate Mooney 62), Isibeal Atkinson (Alannah McEvoy 62); Noelle Murray, Leanne Kiernan.

Subs not used: Rachel Kelly (gk), Courtney Higgins, Fiona Donnelly, Rachel Graham.

Booked: None.

Peamount United: Naoise McAloon; Lauren O'Callaghan (Megan Lynch 79), Louise Corrigan, Chloe Moloney (Niamh Barnes 55), Claire Walsh; Sarah McKevitt (Lucy McCartan 63), Niamh Farrelly, Karen Duggan, Áine O'Gorman, Eleanor Ryan Doyle; Amber Barrett.

Subs not used: Niamh Reid-Burke (gk), Rachel Doyle, Lauren Kealy, Vanessa Hullen.

Booked: Amber Barrett (44), Niamh Farrelly (77).

Referee: Paula Brady.

Attendance: 50 (estimate).

Extratime.ie Player of the Match: Áine O'Gorman (Peamount United).