- Christine Allen
- Mon, Sep 02 2024
Christine Allen reports from PRL Park.
Just four days out from The Peas round one Champions League Qualifier against Belarus’ FC Dinamo-BSUPC, there was an understandable buzz at PRL Park.
Underneath the waning heat of a late August sun, supporters journeyed beneath the tunnel to the main pitch, conversing animatedly.
Rovers donned their classic black jersey with the turquoise sash design while The Peas sported their traditional dark green shirt and white shorts.
United were spirited in the opening twenty minutes and had success via Becky Watkins on the right wing - her one v one battle with the tenacious Savannah McCarthy a real treat for the crowd underneath the compact main stand who made themselves heard as both duelled.
Watkins and Jessica Fitzergald had success early on both respective channels, swinging ball after ball into the box which prompted skipper Aine O’Gorman to track back for Rovers and make a number of crucial interceptions.
Chloe Moloney and Jetta Berrill looked solid at the back whenever The Hoops did initiate an attack - Maria Reynolds exploiting space as McCarthy pushed high.
That was until the electric charge of Lia O’Leary blitzing past not one, not two but three Peamount players (who hit the deck as the number 11 weaved beyond their reach) sparked The Hoops to life.
“Cmon!” Budden exclaimed in approval as the marauding wingers' quick footwork sent each Pea sliding helplessly to the grass.
The breakthrough for Rovers came minutes later when Maria Reynolds played it over the top pass to Stephanie Zambra who did well to keep the ball in play and drive it across the goalmouth.
You never doubted Joy Ralph as the Greenhills native beat the green shirt to the ball, firing first time from an awkward angle with her left boot into the bottom right hand corner.
The number 19 nearly made it two with a pirouette and fire moments later - The Peas relieved to see the strike trickle past the left hand post.
A Watkins counter cross almost found its target minutes later but Ellen Dolan was unable to head it cleanly on target.
In the heart of the park, Scarlett Herron and Aoife Kelly put in a real shift.
Captain Karen Duggan, who was a worthy foe for Herron, cranked her neck to the left and right following a strong challenge by the number 20 - the Monaghan native fighting tooth and nail for every ball as Kelly flaunted her technical prowess.
A fine save from Niamh Reid Burke on the stroke of half-time kept Peamount in it - McCarthy releasing Ralph who beat both Berrill and Moloney for pace to cut back a cross for her skipper who laid it off for the number 10.
Zambra saw the opportunity before the tee off formed in O’Gormans mind and raced to place herself within reach, firing with power towards the bottom right but Peamount's goal minder parried it clear.
With Oasis ‘Live Forever’ ringing in the ears of the PRL Park faithful, the reigning champions started the second half strong and this was applauded by foreman James O’Callaghan from the sidelines.
A point blank strike from Ellen Dolan was somehow kept out of the net as Peamount began to beat Rovers to first and second balls.
“Keep at it Peamount, drive them on!” O’Callaghan encouraged, channelling Duffer energy on the touchline.
In what was a promising spell for the homeside, Rovers had trouble retaining possession - Peamount snapping for the equaliser at their heels.
“Keep the ball!” The Douglas native remonstrated as substitute Keri Letmon began to light up the right wing.
At the other end of the pitch Ralph chased down every long ball in an attempt to resuscitate Rover’s vitals in attack, her press unrelenting as the clock ticked towards full-time.
Peamount's best chance to equalise came in the 64th minute when the ball was pickpocketed from Kelly by a lively Fitzgerald and laid off for Dolan who’s placement was just a couple of inches shy off the right corner to cause the Rovers goal minder any trouble.
As the minutes passed, Burke expressed dissatisfaction to the referee with the lack of service on ball rotation - a nod to her frustration as the final whistle loomed closer.
“Everytime ref!” The Clonsilla native exclaimed moments later, as Katie O’Reilly hovered within her line of sight on the kick out.
The introduction of former DLR Dynamo Michelle Doonan was not enough to save a point from the fixture for Peamount, who ultimately succumbed to a 1-0 defeat to Rovers.
Peamount United: Niamh Reid Burke; Jetta Berrill, Lucy McCartan, Chloe Moloney, Lauryn O'Callaghan (Sophie Miranda 76); Dearbhaile Beirne (Kerri Letmon 66), Karen Duggan (Freya Healy 85), Niamh Farrelly (Michelle Doonan 76), Jessica Fitzgerald, Becky Watkins (Carla McManus 85); Ellen Dolan.
Subs not used: Niamh Coombes, Aoife Brophy, Mia McGonnell, Alicia Maher.
Booked: Becky Watkins (18).
Shamrock Rovers WFC: Amanda Budden; Jessica Hennessy, Savannah McCarthy, Fiona Owens, Maria Reynolds; Scarlett Herron, Aoife Kelly, Aine O'Gorman, Lia O'Leary, Stephanie Zambra (Katie O'Reilly 78); Joy Ralph.
Subs not used: Summer Lawless, Shauna Fox, Melissa O'Kane, Alannah Prizeman, Emily Corbet, Jaime Thompson, Lauren Kelly, Ella Kelly.
Booked: Savannah McCarthy (88).
