Details

Date Time League Season
13 November 2021 7:30 pm LOI Women's Premier Division 2021

Match Report

Shels crowned Women’s League champs

On a simply incredible night of drama in the Women’s National League Shelbourne have been crowned league champions following an impressive 3-2 win over close rivals Wexford Youths in Tolka Park.

While they set out their task on the night with professionalism with Jessica Stapleton influential throughout it was the high drama in PRL Park where Galway defeated Peamount to ensure the title will rest in Tolka Park this season.

As the news filtered through that Julie Ann Russell put the nail in the coffin against her former club the roar from Tolka Park could be heard around Drumcondra.

Both sides had chances early on with Ciara Rossiter and Saoirse Noonan having early sights on goal for their respective teams as both defences held firm. Noelle Murray almost made the breakthrough following a clever pass from Chloe Mustaki set Murray away with effort going over the bar at the near post.

Shels didn't have to wait longer to get the better of Wexford and their stand-in keeper, Edel Kennedy, as from a corner, the ball came to Jessica Stapleton at the back post with the 16-year-old nodding home from close range. They would double their advantage just a moment later as the Reds was awarded a penalty with Murray making no mistake firing the ball home to the roof of the net.

Kylie Murphy, forever a threat for the away side; looked to have her say on the night as the ball came to the striker on the edge of the area and she hit a fantastic effort on the volley, with Budden forcing to pull off an excellent save.

After the break, Shelbourne put themselves in command of the tie and one hand firmly on the title with Jessica Stapleton getting her second on the night. From a free-kick that sent into the area, Stapleton flicked a deft header to score.

As the news from PLR Park began to filter through Kylie Murphy had other ideas and left her mark on the match with a brace of goals. The first was a fantastic strike as she slotted home past Budden with a low effort. She followed that up with a fantastic header with just minutes to go that added drama to the occasion.

In the end, as the final whistle blew, sheer disbelief turned into an outpouring of jubilation as the impossible became a reality for Noel King and his players.

An incredible night of drama that will go down in the annals of history. 

Shelbourne

1Amanda Budden Goalkeeper
Chloe Mustaki Midfielder
2Jessica Gargan Defender
3Jessie Stapleton Defender 22', 47'
4Pearl Slattery Defender
7Jessica Ziu Midfielder
8Rachel Graham Defender
10Noelle Murray 6 Forward 23'
11Saoirse Noonan Forward
24Ciara Grant Midfielder
30Shauna Fox Defender 64'
#Rebecca Creagh Forward
6Alex Kavanagh 10 Midfielder
13Mia Dodd Defender
16Sophie Lenehan Goalkeeper
17Keeva Keenan Defender
18Abbie Larkin Forward
19Leah Doyle Defender
21Taylor White Forward

Wexford Yths

18Edel Kennedy Midfielder
2Teegan Lynch 10 Midfielder
3Orlaith Conlon Defender
4Della Doherty Midfielder
6Kylie Murphy Midfielder 56', 85'
11Lynn Craven Defender
12Ciara Rossiter Defender
16Nicola Sinnott Defender
17Aoibheann Clancy Midfielder
19Lynn Marie Grant Forward
20Ellen Molloy 7 Midfielder
7Freya de Mange 20 Midfielder
9Katie Law Forward
10Sinead Taylor 2 Forward
22Fiona Ryan Defender
24Kira Bates Crosbie Midfielder
25Emma Walker Midfielder
  • 90'

    On a simply incredible night of drama in the Women’s National League Shelbourne have been crowned league champions following an impressive 3-1 over close rivals Wexford Youths in Tolka Park. While they set out their task on the night with professionalism with Jessica Stapleton influential throughout it was the high drama in PRL Park where Galway defeated Peamount to ensure the title will rest in Tolka Park this season. As the news filtered through that Julie Ann Russell put the nail in the coffin against her former club the roar from Tolka Park could be around Drumcondra.

  • 90'

    IT'S OVER!!!! Shelbourne is the champions!!!! What a night of high drama!

  • 90'

    Ellen Molloy is making way for Freya De Mange late on

  • 89'

    Alex Kavanagh comes on for Noelle Murphy

  • 85'

    We have late drama here!! Kylie Murphy with a header from a Molloy free-kick that just slips in under the cross bar.

  • 83'

    Absolutely fantastic stop from Edel Kennedy to stop Saoirse Noonan to get round to slot the ball into the empty net.

  • 80'

    Peamount 2-5 Galway. Abbie Callanan with a frankly ridiculous finish - this is just incredible.

  • 80'

    The first change coming up, Teegan Lynch is replaced by Sinead Taylor.

  • 72'

    Peamount 2-4 Galway. Wow! Julie Ann-Russell against her former team with another terrific finish! Shelbourne have one hand on the title!

  • 70'

    Jessie Stapleton off the crossbar, Jessie hits a fantastic curling effort that cannons off the crossbar. She is hunting for that hatrick

  • 70'

    There is a bit of tension here as while Shelbourne is two goals to the good they currently sit as champions, but will there be late drama?

  • 65'

    Murphy breaks into the area and hits a low effort that forces Budden to dive with her feet but it hits the side netting.

  • 61'

    Peamount 2-3 Galway. Wow! A Shauna Brennan sails over Niamh Reid-Burke and into the net and GALWAY LEAD!

  • 56'

    And Wexford pulls one back, what a fantastic strike from Kylie Murphy who slots it home low into the back of the net.

  • 52'

    Tiegan Lynch gets the ball on the edge of the area and her shot was blocked down brilliantly by Slattery

  • 50'

    The cross came in from the right and Ziu made contact however it just goes over the bar.

  • 47'

    And Jessie Stapleton makes it three! From a free-kick she flicks the header on towards goal and its full command for the women from Tolka Park.

  • 46'

    We are back underway at Tolka Park, this could be 45 minutes of agony or 45 minutes of ecstasy for Shelbourne, or will Wexford come back and spoil the party.

  • 45'

    Right so here is how things are, Shelbourne have been professional in their match play and are two goals to the good against Wexford, however over in Galway it's 2-2 which means as things stand the league will not be settled tonight but via a play off next week!

  • 42'

    There has been much of a change in the mood here in Tolka! Noonan tries her luck to curl it over Kennedy and it just goes wide of her far post.

  • 41'

    It\'s 2-2 over at Peamount! Galway have equalised! As it stands, we're going to a play-off.

  • 38'

    Saoirse Noonan goes down on the line of the area, there is a good shout for a second penalty for Shelbourne that is waved away.

  • 36'

    Murphy gets the ball on the edge of the area and hits a fantastic effort on the volley but Budden goes excellent to save to shot.

  • 35'

    Well well well! Peamount 2-1 Galway. Maybe it's not all over after all. What a finish from Emma Starr, a stunning chip in off the bar and Galway have halved the deficit!

  • 30'

    Wexford are trying to get back into this contest but Shelbourne are holding firm in defence, both goals have been a killer as it has a blow to the early momentum from the away side.

  • 23'

    And Murray makes no mistake! She slots it into the top right-hand corner with ease.

  • 23'

    Penalty Shelbourne!

  • 22'

    Jessie Stapleton scores! From a corner, the ball comes to Stapleton at the back post and she nods it home from close range. Shelbourne take the lead!

  • 20'

    Murray tries her luck from a distance however it's well off target as Edel Kennedy is not forced to make a save.

  • 19'

    League advantage Peamount as its Peamount 2-0 Galway! Galway keeper Leah Hayes Coen she misjudges a Tiegan Ruddy free-kick and the ball bounces in off her foot.

  • 16'

    Della Doherty reacts quickest to a corner and her effort forces Amanda Budden to save on the line.

  • 12'

    What a chance for Noelle Murray a clever pass from Mustaki into the area and Murray's effort just goes over the bar at the near post. Close call for Wexford.

  • 10'

    Big chance for Shelbourne as Saoirse Noonan latches onto a cross but her header just goes wide. That would have been the perfect start for the home side after being under a bit of pressure.

  • 8'

    Ellen Molloy tries to feed Ciara Rossiter but it is cut out by the Shelbourne defence, the away side are really pressing forward in these opening exchanges.

  • 4'

    Elsewhere Shelbourne's chances of a league title have already been dealt with a blow as Peamount has taken the lead against Galway.

  • 3'

    Edel Kennedy has her first touch as a goalkeeper but Youth's defence is really protecting their teammate and Shelbourne and pressing high up the wing in the early exchanges of the game.

  • 1'

    And we are underway! Wexford kick us off at Tolka Park, the beginning of an epic final night in the Women's National League.

  • Two of Wexford keepers strained their hamstrings and that is why Edel Kennedy is in goals, she has a GAA background but it is unsure whether she has any experience as a goalkeeper.

  • Both teams are out on the pitch and we will be underway very soon. This has the makings of not only a great game but an interesting evening.

  • News from Wexford is...Edel Kennedy starts in goals, the midfielder is putting on some gloves and will be the Wexford net minder tonight, well we did say tonight would be an interesting one!

  • Wexford is coming into this game unquestionably wanting to run out with the three points themselves, however, it will actually secure the Youths 2nd place over Shelbourne as well as put them in good stead for the FAI Cup final next week.

  • With league leaders Peamount United heading the table on 60 points, Shelbourne are currently in second place on 58 points, meaning Shelbourne can still win the WNL title if they pick up all 3 points at Tolka Park and Peamount are defeated by Galway WFC in Dublin this evening.

  • We are just awaiting news from Tolka with the teams and they will be with you shortly.

  • Good Evening from Final Whistle HQ, Ciaran Callan to bring you through tonight's action where Shelbourne with the slimmest of chances could win the SSE Women's National League Premier Division title, they need Peamount to drop points and beat Wexford in order to clinch the title.

Past Meetings

2 - 3
LOI Women's Premier Division
Ferrycarrig Park

Wexford Youths v Shelbourne

(Series 18)
1 - 0
LOI Women's Premier Division
Ferrycarrig Park

Wexford Youths v Shelbourne

(Series 9)
0 - 0
LOI Women's Premier Division
Tolka Park

Shelbourne v Wexford Youths

(Series 1 - Group 1)
2 - 5
LOI Women's Premier Division
Ferrycarrig Park

Wexford Youths v Shelbourne

(Series 5)
2 - 1
LOI Women's Premier Division
Tolka Park

Shelbourne v Wexford Youths

(Round 20)
2 - 1
LOI Women's Premier Division
Tolka Park

Shelbourne v Wexford Youths

(Round 14)
1 - 2
LOI Women's Premier Division
Ferrycarrig Park

Wexford Youths v Shelbourne

(Round 8)
0 - 0
LOI Women's Premier Division
Tolka Park

Shelbourne v Wexford Youths

(Round 15)
1 - 0
LOI Women's Premier Division
Ferrycarrig Park

Wexford Youths v Shelbourne

(Round 8)
1 - 3
LOI Women's Premier Division
Tolka Park

Shelbourne v Wexford Youths

0 - 0
LOI Women's Premier Division
Ferrycarrig Park

Wexford Youths v Shelbourne

3 - 2
LOI Women's Premier Division
Tolka Park

Shelbourne v Wexford Youths

2 - 2
LOI Women's Premier Division
Ferrycarrig Park

Wexford Youths v Shelbourne

1 - 0
LOI Women's Premier Division
Tolka Park

Shelbourne v Wexford Youths

1 - 3
LOI Women's Premier Division
Ferrycarrig Park

Wexford Youths v Shelbourne

3 - 1
LOI Women's Premier Division
Tolka Park

Shelbourne v Wexford Youths

3 - 3
LOI Women's Premier Division
Ferrycarrig Park

Wexford Youths v Shelbourne

Ground

Tolka Park
Tolka Park (Shelbourne FC), Drumcondra South A ED, Dublin, County Dublin, Leinster, Ireland

Ciaran Callan is a part-time sports journalist based in Dundalk, Co. Louth. He has more than 10 year’s experience working with media companies including both extensive radio broadcasting experience along with print and digital media reporting for the SSE Airtricity League as well digital media work with the national sports company eirSport. He joined FinalWhistle in February 2021 as is their main correspondent for Dundalk Football Club.