WNL Report: Peamount United 1 - 2 UCD Waves

A Dearbhaile Beirne brace was enough to send UCD Waves top of the Women’s National League as Noel Kealy’s side survived a late fightback from the hosts at Greenogue on Saturday evening.

After squandering a lead before suffering defeat against Wexford Youths in their last league outing, the Waves were aiming to make amends against a strong Peas side.

They got off to a dream start inside the opening 90 seconds after an Orlagh Nolan free-kick was allowed to bounce in the hosts box before Beirne fired home from close range.

Despite taking an early advantage, Waves continued to press forward and almost doubled their lead minutes later. A lovely cross from Julie=Ann Russell found Kerri Letmon, whose effort forced an excellent save from Naoise McAloon.

As the Peas continued to soak up pressure from the visitors, Russell was the next Waves player to go close after she was allowed to glide through the Peamount defence, but her curling effort from 25 yards cannoned off the crossbar.

With Peamount’s first-half efforts on goal being limited, the host almost equalised on the half-hour mark through Megan Lynch, but her wicked free-kick from the right sideline sailed the wrong side of Brooke Dunne’s goal.

After being forced to soak up huge Waves pressure in the opening half, the hosts began the second-half brightest and almost got off to a dream start through Heather Payne.

The winger won possession midway inside the Waves half before racing through on goal, but her close range effort took a deflection before hitting the post.

From the resulting corner, the Peas were convinced Eleanor Ryan Doyle’s headed effort had crossed the goal line, however, referee Natasha Valentini waved play on.

As the Peas continued to search for an equaliser, the hosts were denied what looked a stonewall penalty after Rebekah Carroll clashed with Amber Barrett in the penalty area, but despite the huge appeals from the Peas forward Valentini was once again unmoved.

Moments later, the visitors doubled their advantage after an excellent tackle from Emily Cahill dispossessed Barrett on the edge of the Waves box and they broke from deep inside their own before Beirne’s effort appeared to slip through the hands of the Peas shot-stopper.

Soon after doubling their advantage, Both O’Gorman and Nolan had efforts from distance that failed to trouble McAloon.

Peas grabbed what provided to a be a consolation goal six minutes from time after Barrett raced onto a through ball before firing low past the onrushing Dunne.

Deep in second-half additional-time, ex-Peas player Lauren Kelly almost added a third goal for the Waves after she latched onto a low cross, but McAloon produced a sublime close range save to deny the Ireland under-19 international.

After back-to-back defeats, Peamount will be hoping to return to winning ways next weekend when they welcome Kilkenny United to Greenogue while UCD Waves make the first of two trips in eight days to Eamonn Deacy Park when they take on Galway WFC.

Peamount United: Naoise McAloon; Lauryn O’Callaghan, Louise Corrigan, Chloe Moloney, Jade Reddy (Claire Kinsella 71); Heather Payne, Niamh Farrelly, Emma Byrne, Eleanor Ryan Doyle, Megan Lynch (Niamh Barnes 78); Amber Barrett.

Subs Not Used: Monica McGuirk, Margaret Doyle, Lauren Kealy, Vanessa Hullon.

Booked: Emma Byrne (36).

UCD Waves: Brooke Dunne; Jetta Berrill, Rebekah Carroll, Emily Cahill, Aishling Dunbar (Catherine Cronin 73); Julie Ann Russell, Karen Duggan, Orlagh Nolan, Dearbhaile Beirne (Lauren Kelly 78); Aine O’Gorman, Kerri Letmon (Sophie O’Donoghue 82).

Subs Not Used: Erica Turner, Sinead Gaynor.

Booked: None.

Referee: Natasha Valentini.

Attendance: 90 (estimate).

Extratime.iePlayer of the Match: Dearbhaile Beirne (UCD Waves).