WNL Shield Report: Shelbourne Ladies 5-1 Peamount United

Shelbourne Ladies recorded their first league victory of the season on Wednesday evening at Morton Stadium when they defeated Peamount United by five goals to one in Group B of the Women’s National League Shield.

Shelbourne on the back of an opening weekend draw away to Galway WFC started the game brightest and after several half chances, Siobhan Killeen opening the scoring after she latched onto a low cross from Katie McCabe to fire home from close range.

Minutes after opening their account, Shels doubled their advantage when McCabe again turned provided from the wings - this time she found Dearbhaile Beirne who fired home to open her account for Shels on her first start.

Despite Shels having the lion share of Possession, Peamount were not prepared to lie down and Clare Kinsella forced Amanda McQuillan into a lovely save from the edge of the box. Moments later, Rachel Graham should have made it three nil when she beat the offside trap, but she fired wide when one-on-one deep inside the penalty area.

McQuillan was again called into action soon after when she was forced to gather Sara McKevitt shot at the second time of asking. With the home side looking threatening with every attack, McCabe ensured she added her name to the score sheet - when she picked up a long throw in before rifling home from just inside the right edge of the box.

Minutes later Niamh Barnes popped up to grab a fourth for Shels after a scramble in the box, the defender tapped home from close range past Michelle Watson.

After the break, Peamount pulled a goal back, when Shels Skipper, Pearl Slattery pulled down Amber Barrett on the edge of the box - from the resulting free-kick, left-back Rachel Doyle saw her low shot find the back of the next after McQuillan failed to gather possession and the ball rolling under her arms.

Moments after conceding, Shelbourne restored their four goal advantage, when Beirne volleyed home from just inside the penalty spot after cushioned knockdown by Sarah Rowe. Peamount, soon after were unlucky not to score again from a Danni Murray cross, but Slattery’s clearance went just the wrong side of the post.

As Shels attempted to add to their goal tally, Watson was again called into action when she was forced to palm behind a Shauna Newman free-kick from the by-line. With injury time fast approaching, Killeen had two great efforts to add to her tally, but they winger failed to trouble Watson from close range.

Shelbourne Ladies: Amanda McQuillan, Keeva Keenan, Pearl Slattery, Niamh Barnes, Shauna Newman, Siobhan Killeen, Jamie Finn, Rachel Graham (Fiona Donnelly), Dearbhaile Beirne, Megan Lynch (Avril Brierley), Katie McCabe (Sarah Rowe)

Subs Not Used: Lauren Dwyer, Courtney Higgins, Sophie Watters

Peamount United: Michelle Watson, Lauryn O’Callaghan, Niamh Farrelly (Amber Barrett), Louise Corrigan, Rachel Doyle, Margaret Doyle, Sara McKevitt, Lucy McCarton (Emma Donohue), Emma Byrne (Danni Murray), Clare Kinsella, Aoife Moloney

Subs Not Used: Erin Best, Naoise McAloon, Stephanie Bowden, Lauren Kelly

Match Referee: Paula Brady

Attendance: 75 estimate

Extratime Player of the Match: Siobhan Killeen (Shelbourne)