Galway United have secured what is the first major upset of the 2023 Women's Premier Division season as they netted twice in the second half to come out 2-1 winners in Tolka Park.

It is a big win for Galway in their inaugural season under the United name, they fought well in the opening half but an early jessie Stapleton goal saw them go behind in the first half.

Aoife Thompson and Jenna Slattery proved the match winners as they both netted in a stunning minute of magic that saw Galway lead in the 58th minute, they would finish with ten players but Shelbourne were unable to catch them in the end.

Shels started the brighter of the two sides, Alex Kavanagh delivered a corner into the Galway area, Jessie Stapleton headed home at the back post, she will be taking the credit for the goal despite the PA saying Alex Kavanagh had scored direct from the set piece, they almost doubled their lead minutes later but Jemma Quinn had her effort strike the upright.

Minutes later Pearl Slattery had the ball in the net but the linesman had his flag up. She headed home a free kick crossed in by Alex Kavanagh but despite the ball nestling into the net, the linesman ruled it out.

It was all Shels as Quinn got in for a one on one with Galway keeper Jessicia Berlin, the keeper making a fine save , but again the flag was up for offside and Galway could breathe a sigh of relief.

Play was stopped as Keeva Keenan had a nasty collision on the sideline needing treatment, she made her way back on as the half wore on United came close in added on time a free kick from Jenna Slattery deflected to hit the post by keeper Courtney Maguire and Shels remained ahead 1-0 at the break.

Into the second half and play was again halted as Slattery this time needed treatment for an accidental collision with a Galway player saw her down on the ground, Galway had started the half better and five minutes later found the equaliser, a massive mix up in the Shelbourne defence Maguire was out of her goal, Aoife Thompson gathered and rounded her before putting it into the net.

It was a whirlwind start to the second half for the Galway side as Slattery put them in front a minute later, another sensational free kick from her powered it’s way past Maguire and into the back of the net.

Momentum was all with Galway but Shelbourne were still in the tie, they had a lifeline as Gemma McGuinness was shown a second yellow card for a tackle that looked a little rash, leaving Galway weather a late storm but the best of the Shelbourne chances would not come until we went into added on time as Megan Smyth-Lynch cracked a shot off the crossbar.