Shamrock Rovers 2 - 3 Raheny United

Raheny United’s undefeated away record in the Women’ National league remains intact, despite a suspect display against Shamrock Rovers.

Poor defending and ineffective finishing characterised a dominant Raheny performance spurred on from Caroline Thorpe in the Raheny engine room. The tough tackling Rovers team made life difficult on this season's WFAI Cup finalists and even though under pressure for the majority it was the Southsiders who made the most of their home advantage.

With 16 minutes on the clock some scrappy play in the Raheny midfield saw the ball break for Orlaigh Nolan, just inside the Raheny half, Nolan ran unchallenged and chipped Merrigan in the Raheny goal. The Raheny keepers finger tips where unable to prevent Rovers taking a shock lead with Nolan showing great vision to see the Raheny keeper off her line.

Raheny were the better side for the majority of the first half with Siobhan Killeen, Noelle Murray and Katie McCabe linking up well in the three woman Raheny attack. However showing a trend which will worry the Northsiders boss Ger McDermott, United failed to test the Rovers keeper, their best effort coming on 23 minutes when Noelle Murray’s curled effort came off the stanchion behind the Rovers goal.

Injuries to Rovers keeper Bethany Houldsworth and in particular Raheny full back Elaine Murray resulted in 10 minutes of 1^st half stoppage time, where Raheny took advantage to restore parity.

With seven added minutes on the clock, Killeen’s corner found Caroline Thorpe. Rovers back Paula Dillon failed to block Thorpe's shot down fully and the ball crept over the line past the despairing hands of Houldsworth.

The start of the second half was reminiscent of the first with the Northsiders going close through Killeen and Graham’s effort coming back off the bar with Katie McCabe guilty of the most clear cut chance when blasting over the bar.

Rovers made the visitors pay on 61 minutes, the Raheny defence fell asleep and allowed Orlaigh Nolan stroll in on goal and push the ball past Emma Merrigan to give the hosts a lead which looked to be a surprise result in the making.

Five minutes later it should have been three to the home side. More bad defending by Raheny saw Rachel Graham fail to clear and substitute Jessica Dillon’s rasping volley was straight at Merrigan.

Raheny responded quickly and from a left sided corner Katie McCabe was fouled in the box with the ref pointing to the spot. McCabe confidently stepped up and slotted the equaliser into the bottom right corner.

Raheny continued to search for the winner with McCabe influencing proceedings more and more as the game progressed. McCabe’s weaving run on 78 minutes found Walderon in space but she could only blast it at Houldsworth in the Rovers goal.

Walderon made amends on 82 minutes when she deftly played it past Rovers Keeper Houldsworth and left Noelle Murray with simplest of finishes to give Raheny the points.

The goal added salt to the Rovers wounds as Houldsworth was removed injured from her efforts to prevent Walderon’s through ball.

The Northsiders came out on top of this hotly contested Dublin Derby and remain in pole position at the top of the Women’s National League.

Shamrock Rovers: Bathany Houldsworth, Paula Doran, Zara Dillon, Carol Conlon, Joanne Ennis, Lyndsey Hayden, Rachel Jenkins, Niamh Nolan, Aisling Cusack, Orlaigh Nolan, Aoife Maloney

Subs: Jessica Dillon for Cusack 14’, Grainne Walsh for Doran 53’, Emma Murphy for Bethany Houldsworth 82’

Raheny United: Emma Merrigan, Seanna Cooke, Shauna Newman, Elaine Murray, Caroline Thrope, Rebecca Creagh, Rachel Graham, Ciara Grant, Siobhan Killeen, Katie McCabe, Noelle Murray

Subs: Sinead O’Farrelly for E.Murray 45’ Niamh Walsh for Grant H/T

Subs Not Used: Niamh Reid Burke, Laura Ryan, Catherine Cronin, Mary Waldron, Cliodhna O’Connor

Player of the Match: Katie McCabe

Attendance: 100 (approx)