- Niall Farrell
- Sun, Jan 15 2012
Shamrock Rovers almost grabbed an unlikely point from high-flying Peamount, with a last-gasp Sara Lawlor winner sparing Peamount's blushes.
Three goals in the first half alone ensured that despite the chilly conditions, the football remained free-flowing. Noelle Murray's speculative 30-yard shot three minutes in gave Rovers an unexpected early lead.
Straight away Peamount were on the lookout for an equaliser, but found it tough against a Rovers side who looked much-improved on their pre-Christmas form. Eventually the goals did come though, with Stephanie Roche getting the first.
Roche's 16th minute strike- a curling effort from the edge of the box almost rivalled the earlier Murray goal as a spectacle. Peas pushed on from there, snuffing out any Rovers players on the ball immediately.
Four minutes later, Sara Lawlor slid the ball in under Sarah Devlin to put Peamount ahead after a quick counter-attack. Lawlor could have had two more before the break, spurning two consecutive chances in front of goal.
The home side were no pushovers though, with Linda Meehan forced to push yet another long range shot- this time from Rachel Jenkins- wide on 34 minutes. Orlagh Nolan had another chance right before the break, shooting into the arms of Meehan right in front of goal.
As good as their finish to the first half was, Rovers started the second half even better. Noelle Murray had a chance five minutes in, but Linda Meehan was equal to it.
Hannah Tyrell was hauled down just as she was about to level for Rovers right in front of goal on 53 minutes. No card was shown to Peas defender Grace Murray, but Tyrell sent Linda Meehan the wrong way from the penalty spot to make it 2-2.
Peamount initially looked likely to equalise, with Sara Lawlor cracking a shot off the inside of the Rovers post. But gradually Rovers became the dominant side.
On 77 minutes Jenny Critchley had to clear off the line to prevent the Hoops taking the lead. But all Peamount's pressure payed off with just two minutes left.
Sarah Devlin could only palm Stephanie Roche's powerful shot across her goal, allowing Critchley to tap in. That late winner puts Peamount top of the table overtaking Raheny, with Rovers still looking for their first win.
Shamrock Rovers: Sarah Devlin, Nicola Sinnott, Lyndsey Hayden, Niamh Connolly, Zara Dillon, Joanne Ennis, Rachel Jenkins, Nicola Dorley, Orlagh Nolan, Noelle Murray, Hannah Tyrell
Subs Not Used: Grace McAuley, Niamh Kinsella, Aoife Maloney, Laura Chambers, Aisling Cusack.
Peamount United: Linda Meehan, Stacy McGlone, Grace Murray, Chloe Mustaki, Susan Byrne, Louise Quinn, Caroline Thorpe, Dora Gorman, Wendy McGlone, Stephanie Roche, Sarah Lawlor.
