WNL Report: Shelbourne Ladies 3 - 1 Wexford Youths Women

Shelbourne Ladies ensured the Women’s National League title would be decided by a play-off after they defeated Wexford Youths 3-1 at Tolka Park on Wednesday evening.

The game had been re-arranged after the original fixture was abandoned in Morton Stadium due to floodlight failure.

Three goals in 11 second-half minutes from Niamh Walsh, Siobhan Killeen and Rebecca Creagh ensured the Reds recovered from a first-half deficit to keep alive their title ambitions.

With the home side knowing nothing less than a win would gift Youths back-to-back league crowns, it was they who had the game’s first chance. After a Killeen corner was not properly cleared by Youths, Creagh latched onto a ball over the top, but her first time volley sailed harmlessly over.

Moments later, Youths had an excellent chance of their own when Aisling Frawley was allowed to glide down the left flank before the winger cut inside and shot, forcing Amanda McQuillan into an excellent save.

As the sides continued to exchange half chances, Shels almost took the lead through an unlikely source when Walsh’s first time volley from close range cannoned off the crossbar.

With the home side continuing to press forward, Noelle Murray will have been disappointed to see none of her teammates attacking her dangerous low free-kick that went the wrong side of Tamara Furlong’s far post.

Despite being forced to defend down the flanks a lot in the opening half, Youths had a great chance to open the scoring in the 35th minute when Walsh slipped deep inside her own half, allowing Claire O’Riordan to race through on goal, but the forward failed to find the target.

However, four minutes later, Wexford broke the deadlock when Nicola Sinnott excellently controlled an Emma Hansberry free-kick before firing low past McQuillan in the host goal.

Two minutes after the break, Shels had an excellent chance to respond. Leanne Kiernan raced onto a ball over the top from Murray, but despite the forward’s pace taking her away from the defenders she blazed wide from the edge of the box.

Wexford thought they had doubled their lead moments later when O’Riordan had the ball in the net, but referee Paula Brady harshly awarded a free-kick against the Youths forward.

Soon after, Shelbourne equalised when Walsh found herself unmarked at the back post after Wexford failed to clear back to back corners, and the central defender made no mistake from close range when she chested home a Killeen cross.

Less than 90 second later, Shelbourne took the lead through Killeen as Creagh found the winger free inside the Youths penalty area before she cut inside and fired past Furlong from 12 yards.

As the hosts continued to pile on the pressure Kiernan was next to try her luck again after she raced onto a long ball, but for the second time she failed the target.

Moments later, Wexford had a chance of their own when Hansberry found O’Riordan with a free-kick, but the Limerick native could only head wide.

Two minutes later, Shelbourne sealed the victory when Creagh converted from the penalty spot to send the large home crowd into celebrations.

After Wednesday's victory, Shelbourne must now turn their attention to Sunday’s League Cup final when they have the chance to claim a first trophy since the club's merger with Raheny United. The date for the league play-off will be announced in due course.

Shelbourne Ladies: Amanda McQuillan; Annie Timoney, Keeva Keenan, Niamh Walsh, Dearbhaile Beirne; Sophie Watters, Rachel Graham, Rebecca Creagh, Siobhan Killeen; Noelle Murray, Leanne Kiernan.

Subs not used: Niamh Reid Burke, Megan Lynch, Kim Turner, Niamh Barnes.

Booked: Noelle Murray (75), Sophie Watters, Rebecca Creagh, Rachel Graham.

Wexford Youths Women: Tamara Furlong; Nicola Sinnott, Orlaith Conlon (Aoibheann Webb 64), Ruth Fahy, Linda Douglas; Aisling Frawley, Kylie Murphy Becky Cassin (Rachel Hutchinson 78), Lauren Dwyer, Emma Hansberry; Claire O’Riordan.

Subs not used: Amy Walsh, Megan Whitty, Shauna Wall.

Booked: Lauren Dwyer (22), Emma Hansberry.

Referee: Paula Brady.

Attendance: 315 (estimate).

Extratime.ie Player of the Match: Rebecca Creagh (Shelbourne Ladies).