- Andrew Dempsey
- Sat, Jul 24 2021
Andrew Dempsey reports from Tolka Park
Shelbourne maintained their unbeaten home winning run this season thanks to a dominant 7-2 victory over a spirited Treaty United at Tolka Park.
Saoirse Noonan scored twice as Ciara Grant, Keeva Keenan, Jessie Stapleton and Emily Whelan also got on the scoresheet for Noel King’s side.
Having gone 6-0 behind five minutes before the half-time break, Treaty responded well to that setback, turning in a strong display in the second period, with Jenna Slattery netting twice for the Shannonsiders.
Shels came into the game off the back of a dramatic 2-1 win over DLR Waves last time out, with the departing Rebecca Cooke netting a late winner over their Dublin rivals.
Niall Connolly’s Treaty United on the other hand came into the game having lost 5-1 away to Peamount United last weekend despite a battling display against one the league’s top two.
And despite a bright start, Treaty’s resolve was broken as early as the 5th minute as Emily Whelan headed home her seventh league goal of the season.
Whelan rose highest to nod home past the helpless Medbh Ryan after a good ball into the box from Jamie Finn on the right.
Finn was at the heart of some more good Shels play, setting up Saoirse Noonan’s first of the game, firing home past Ryan again with a superbly taken strike.
While Noonan’s opener was well-taken, it paled in comparison to her second and Shels’ third.
The former Cork City forward curled an effort into the top corner of Ryan’s net after a great series of play involving Ciara Grant and Whelan.
It was a goal that brought her tally up to nine this season and ended the game as a contest as early as the 9th minute for a despondent Treaty.
And Shels made it four halfway through the opening half, with Jessie Stapleton blasting home a free-kick.
The Ireland underage international saw her effort clip off the bar after a well struck free-kick, leaving the Shannonsiders helpless.
Keeva Keenan then made it five just past the half-hour mark, tapping home from a Noonan into the penalty area, benefitting from some hesitation in the Treaty defence.
And it was six just before the break as Ciara Grant got in on the act, taking the ball around Ryan after pouncing on a through ball from Finn once more.
Treaty, however, remained in the game as best they could, and they were rewarded for their effort, with Jenna Slattery poking home on the stroke of the half-time break.
Shels continued, however, to enjoy most of the play as the second-half began, with Grant trying her luck once more, but she could only shoot over the bar.
Noelle Murray then went close minutes later, but she could only see here effort crash off the inside of the post following an excellent cross from Noonan.
But the Reds would finally break down a staunch Treaty United defence after 27 second-half minutes, with sub Mia Dodd blasting home.
The winger put the finishing touch to a fine passing move from Shels, with Noonan once again at the heart of the play to make it 7-1.
Treaty however, did have the last say in the game, with Slattery once again getting on the scoresheet with a fine turn and finish as Shels class showed in a dominant 7-2 win over their Munster counterparts.
Shelbourne FC: Amanda Budden(Sophie Lenehan 46); Jessie Stapleton (Shauna Fox 46), Pearl Slattery (c), Rachel Graham, Jessica Gargan; Keeva Keenan (Taylor White 78), Ciara Grant, Jamie Finn; Emily Whelan (Abbie Larkin 46), Saoirse Noonan, Noelle Murray.
Subs not used: Leah F Doyle, Ella O'Connell.
Booked: Keeva Keenan (63).
Treaty United: Maebh Ryan; Shannon Parbat, Eve O'Sullivan (Rebecca Horgan 39), Jesse Mendez; Aine Walsh (Eimear Carey 89), Jenna Slattery, Cara Griffin (Alannah Mitchell 32), Olivia Gibson (Tara O'Gorman 46); Gillian Keenan, Aoife Horgan (c), Aoife Cronin.
Subs not used: Michaela Mitchell, Clodagh Doherty, Anna Shanagher, Lauren Keane.
Booked: Eve O'Sullivan (23).
Referee: Sean Stephens.
Attendance: 200.
extratime.com Player of the Match: Saoirse Noonan (Shelbourne).
