WNL Cup Report: Peamount United 2 - 2 Shelbourne LFC

Peamount United fought back from behind twice to earn a late share of the spoils as Roma McLoughlin’s 96th minute strike ensured honours ended even at Greenogue on Saturday evening.

Both sides entered the second series of League Cup fixtures knowing a victory would almost certainly earn them a spot in the last four and it was the visiting side who had the game's first chance, but Noelle Murray failed to challenge Peas keeper Brooke Dunne from a long range Deadball.

With less than ten minutes on the clock. The home side thought they had taken the lead when Donegal native Amber Barrett, who was celebrating her 20th birthday fired home from close range, but referee Lauren Murray adjudged the forward to be offside.

As the sides continued to cancel each other out, Lauryn O’Callaghan a goal scorer in her sides opening night victory over Castlebar will feel she should have done better after she intercepted a pass from Murray before racing towards goal. However, the right-back will be disappointed she failed to test Niamh Reid Burkes in the visiting goal.

Despite the home side having a fair share of possession, Shelbourne would soon create several opportunities. First Sarah Rower fired wide from the edge of the box, before minutes later Siobhan Killeen played a one-two with Rebecca Creagh before forcing Dunne into a brilliant save.

Four minutes later Shels broke the deadlock when Murray produced a second spectacular strike in seven days when she curled an effort into the top corner from the left edge of the box.

As the half-time whistle approached the sides again traded opportunities. An O’Callaghan free-kick from the right edge of the box was just missed by the head of McLaughlin from close range before Keeva Keenan fired wide at the other end after a quick free-kick from Shauna Newman found the full-back unmarked on the opposite wing. 

With less than three minutes played in the second-half. Christy Lougheed's side equalised after Sarah McKevitt reached quickest to a Barrett shot which cannoned off the crossbar and the winger's coolly slotting home low past Reid Burke from inside the penalty area.

Despite the home side drawing level. Shelbourne quickly restored their lead after Rowe slotted home after latching onto lovely low pass from Irish international Killeen. After restoring their one goal advantage, Shels continued to press to extend their lead with Sophie Watters forcing Dunne into a fine save before Newman fired over from the edge of the box.

Dunne, who just recently returned home from America continued to show why she was a highly sought after goalkeeper by denying Murray once again. With little over ten minutes remaining, Barrett was convinced she should have been awarded a penalty after a collision with Reid Burke near the by-line, but referee Murray waved play on much to the annoyance of the home crowd.

Deep into second-half additional time, a long range free-kick from Rachel Doyle was cleared towards the halfway line before Doyle’s first time long ball found McLaughlin, who had beaten the offside trap and the under 19 international made no mistake firing home inside the box to earn her side a deserved share of the spoils.

Peamount United: Brooke Dunne: Lauryn O’Callaghan, Lauren Kealy (C), Niamh Farrelly (Louise Corrigan 67), Rachel Doyle: Aoife Moloney (Lauren Kelly HT), Emma Byrne, Lucy McCarton (Danielle Murray 90+5), Sarah McKevitt: Roma McLaughlin, Amber Barrett

Subs Not Used: Naoisha McAloon, Isobel Finnegan, Emma Donohue, Eimear Lafferty

Booked: None

Shelbourne Ladies: Niamh Reid Burke: Keeva Keenan, Jamie Finn, Niamh Walsh, Shauna Newman: Siobhan Killeen, Lauren Dwyer, Noelle Murray, Sophie Watters (Niamh Barnes 76): Sarah Rowe (Dearbhaile Beirne 90), Rebecca Creagh

Subs Not Used: Amanda McQuillan, Megan Lynch, Avril Brierley, Fiona Donnelly, Courtney Higgins

Booked: N.Murray (90+5)

Attendance: 100 (est)

Match Referee: Lauren Murray (IFA)

Extratime Player of the Match: Amber Barrett (Peamount United)