- Andrew Dempsey
- Sun, Aug 25 2019
Andrew Dempsey reports from Tolka Park
Shelbourne had the heroics of goalkeeper Rachael Kelly to thank as they earned a draw against league leaders Peamount United.
The Reds levelled halfway through the second period after Peas had taken the lead through Megan Smyth-Lynch in the first half.
Pearl Slattery levelled for the hosts before Kelly’s heroics at the death secured Shels a deserved point at the Richmond Road venue.
After swatting aside, the challenge of Limerick last time out with a seven goal win, James O’Callaghan made two changes, with Dearbhaile Beirne and Naoisha McAloon coming into the side in place of Niamh Reid-Burke and Niamh Farrelly.
Shels also made a change from their most recent win over DLR Waves, with Rebecca Cooke coming in for winger Isibeal Atkinson as manager Dave Bell attempted to reel in the Peas for the title chase.
The Reds were perhaps unfortunate to not have gone behind early on, with Rachael Kelly parrying clear a fiercely hit drive by Naima Chemaou.
The visitors went closer just minutes later through Eleanor Ryan-Doyle, but she could only put her glancing header wide of goal after a Megan Smyth-Lynch delivery on the left.
Peas continued to stamp their authority on the game, with Ryan-Doyle once again gong close. With the goal at her mercy, she could only head straight at Kelly in the hosts goal.
Bell’s side grew into the game as the half wore on, with former Republic of Ireland under-17 international Cooke seeing her header cleared off the line by the visitors.
However, just past the half-hour mark, Peamount took the lead after a free-kick from the right hand side by Smyth-Lynch.
Chemaou was taken down just on the edge of the penalty area, before the winger stepped up to take the set-piece as the ball found its way into the back of the net.
And if it wasn’t for the quick reaction of Kelly, Shels may have found themselves further behind shortly after.
Aine O’Gorman’s looping strike was just tipped away from target by the Tolka Park netminder, with O’Callaghan’s side increasing their hold on the game as the opening period ended.
While the first half ended in a dramatic and pulsating fashion, the second half failed to live up to its earlier heights with Chemaou having the only shot on target in a mundane opening third to the half.
However, the game exploded itself back into life with just over twenty minutes remaining when Shels captain Slattery headed home close range.
Jessica Ziu’s quickly taken corner found Alex Kavanagh, before she found the towering centre-back at the back post who made no mistake.
The Reds were then caught napping moments later, with Ryan-Doyle ghosting in at the back post. Fortunately for the hosts, she could only stab her effort wide of goal when it looked easier to score.
The lively forward had an even better chance minutes after, after a through ball from Megan-Lynch. With the goal at her mercy, Kelly made herself big to avert the danger as the hosts.
The game soon petered out after that, as Peamount maintained their eight point lead at the top of the So Hotels Women’s National League but not before some late dram as Kelly saved a late O’Gorman spot-kick to earn a point for the Reds.
Shelbourne FC: Rachael Kelly; Jessica Gargan, Pearl Slattery; Rebecca Cooke (Alannah McEvoy, 63), Jamie Finn, Rachel Graham (Kate Mooney, 89), Alex Kavanagh, Chloe Mustaki, Emily Whelan (Isibeal Atkinson, 72), Jessica Ziu; Noelle Murray.
Subs not used: Mia Dodd, Jennifer McDade, Leah Doyle, Courtney Maguire.
Booked: Noelle Murray (77).
Peamount United: Naoisha McAloon; Dearbhaile Beirne, Louise Corrigan, Rachel Doyle, Lucy McCartan, Lauryn O’Callaghan (Della Doherty, 85); Karen Duggan, Eleanor Ryan Doyle, Megan Smyth-Lynch, Claire Walsh; Naima Chemaou (Louise Masterson, 80), Aine O'Gorman.
Subs not used: Niamh Farrelly, Lauren Kealy, Chloe Moloney, Jade Reddy, Niamh Reid Burke.
Referee: Paula Brady.
ExtraTime.ie Player of the Match: Rachael Kelly (Shelbourne).
