Peamount United 2 - 3 Raheny United

There was high drama in the snow and freezing cold of Greenogue today as Raheny United beat rivals Peamount United thanks to a late, late comeback.

With fifteen minutes left, Raheny trailed their hosts 2-1, after a Stephanie Roche brace – sandwiched in between Noelle Murray's 12^th minute goal. But a Rebecca Creagh equaliser and a fortuitous goal with a minute left from Caroline Thorpe gave the visitors a vital victory.

Peas began with a bang- taking the lead after only three minutes. After a flowing passing move which took them from their box to the edge of Raheny's, Aine O'Gorman swung in a perfect cross for Stephanie Roche to head in.

It always seemed like this would be an open match, thouugh, and it wasn't long before Raheny hit back. The on-form Noelle Murray only had to slide the ball past Monica McGuirk after a threaded pass found its way through the Peas defence.

This end-to-end encounter ebbed and flowed, with both sides showing their creative side. Steph Roche tested Emma Merrigan with a dipping shot on 21 minutes, but Peas made good on a dominant spell three minutes later after Solene Barbance was brought down in the Raheny penalty area.

Last season' top scorer remained true to form by slotting the ball under Merrigan. The goal prompted a spell of dominance for Peamount which lasted well into the second half, being punctuated only by a few chances for the visitors.

Aine O'Gorman was unlucky to see her near-perfect cross just miss the foot of Sara Lawlor on 34 minutes, and Caroline Thorpe hit the crossbar just before half time, but the score remained 2-1 going into half time.

It never seemed likely to stay that score, though. O'Gorman and Lawlor both had clear chances to extend the home side's lead, but Raheny weathered the storm. Rebecca Creagh was a dynamo throughout the match from the Raheny midfield, and popped up with the equaliser after 76 minutes.

The Raheny captain's positioning for the goal was perfect, as she connected with a swinging cross to head the ball into the top-left corner of Monica McGuirk's goal. From then on, it looked like fortune might favour Raheny.

Going into the last ten minutes it still looked a very difficult match to call, but a moment of fortune at the death gifted the northsiders a win. Monica McGuirk rose well in an attempt to claim an out-swinging cross, but dropped the ball – giving ex-Peamount player Caroline Thorpe an easy finish.

That goal moved Raheny to within two points of league leaders Wexford Youths, while reigning champions Peamount will be left to reflect on a second loss in a row.

Peamount United: Monica McGuirk; Amy O'Loughlin, Emily Cahill, Karen Duggan, Susan Byrne; Ruth Comerford, Solene Barbance, Louise Quinn, Aine O'Gorman; Stephanie Roche, Sara Lawlor [Clare Kinsella '84]. SUBS NOT USED: Louise Corrigan, Jetta Berrill, Emma Donohoe, Louise Corrigan.

Raheny United: Emma Merrigan; Megan Campbell, Shauna Newman, Niamh Walsh, Rachel Graham; Caroline Thorpe, Siobhan Killeen, Rebecca Creagh, Mary Waldron; Noelle Murray, Katie McCabe. SUBS NOT USED: Grace McAuley Ryan, Sinead O'Farrelly, Catherine Cronin, Kate McKeever, Pearly Slattery, Kate Flood, Ciara Grant.

Referee: Rhona Daly.

Attendance: 40 (unofficial estimate)

Extratime.ie Player of the Match: Rebecca Creagh.