Shelbourne saw off the tenacious challenge of Galway in Women's National League at Eamonn Deasy Park.

A penalty by Noelle Murray inside ten minutes and a Shauna Fox flick from an Abbi Larkin cross in the second half proved enough for the table toppers.

Galway to their credit were always competitive and they more than tested Shelbourne's resolve.

This was entertaining affair, which at times became scrappy. Galway appeared to threaten Shelbourne’s relaxed attitude at times.

They made a bright and busy start and despite conceding the early penalty, they continued to battle. For much of the first half they were the more dominant team in possession.

Aoife Thompson glancing header forced Amanda Budden to be sharp, while Julie Ann Russell was live to poor clearance and her resulting shot went close to troubling the Shelbourne goal.

The reality is that Shelbourne's experience and composure steered them home to a fifth straight win and they are yet to concede this season.

Shelbourne made Galway work to keep the pressure up, easy passes across the pitch was enough to tire out the Westerners.

Galway will be happy despite the loss, as they will take plenty of positives away from their performance.