2 v 5 
Galway WFC| Aine O'Gorman 4' | 1-0 | |
| Tiegan Ruddy 18' | 2-0 | |
2-1 | 34' Emma Starr | |
2-2 | 40' Lynsey McKey | |
2-3 | 60' Shauna Brennan | |
2-4 | 72' Julie-Ann Russell | |
| Megan Smyth-Lynch 89' |
Details
| Date | Time | League | Season |
|---|---|---|---|
| 13 November 2021 | 7:30 pm | LOI Women's Premier Division | 2021 |
Match Report
Powerful Galway cost Pea’s the title
The upset of the season took place in PLR Park this evening, as Peamount United let a 2-0 cushion and the title slip against Galway WFC.
Given Shelbourne’s triumph over Wexford Youths, The Westerner’s 5-2 victory over the reigning champions sees The Reds the Women’s National League winners for 2021.
The set up from the go saw the Connacht squad as underdogs, but they defied all the odds in Greenogue after a shaky start.
An Aine O’Gorman goal at the end of a Tiegan Ruddy corner in the 4th minute had many thinking the script was already written in James O’Callaghan’s outfit’s favour, especially when they doubled their lead with 18 minutes gone.
Ruddy the culprit herself on that occasion, she caught Leah Hayes Cohen on the hop with a freekick.
The eventual player of the match Emma Starr then drew one back in sensational fashion 10 minutes before half-time, with Lynsey McKey bagging the equaliser just five minutes later seeing the score 2-2 at the break.
Shocking the home ground, Galway’s Shauna Brennan was next to make the scorecard and United were left shaken and nervy.
Substitutes ensued as The Tribeswomen grew into the game even more and only a minute on the pitch Kate Slevin assisted Julie Ann Russell for their fourth goal of the day
Abbie Callanan added the final strike to the tally in the 81st minute and while Peas threw everything they had at the visitors they couldn’t break through.
It would have been too little too late regardless and the score concluded at wonderous 5-2 resulting in monumental drama over the league.
Many having pegged Peamount as outright favourites, Shels clinched the title against all the odds with their 3-2 win against upcoming FAI Cup opponents Wexford in Tolka Park.
An inspirational end to an unforgettable season and an extraordinary result for Galway WFC as they became just the only side bar Noel King’s to have beaten Peamount this year.
Timeline
| 13. Aine O'Gorman | 4' | |
| 5. Tiegan Ruddy | 18' | |
| 34' | 5. Emma Starr | |
| 40' | 10. Lynsey McKey | |
| 60' | 4. Shauna Brennan | |
| Alannah McEvoy Megan Smyth-Lynch |
66' | |
| Stephanie Zambra Lauren Kelly |
66' | |
| 66' | Aoife Thompson Abbie Callanan |
|
| 72' | Julie-Ann Russell | |
| 72' | Therese Kinnevey Kate Slevin |
|
| Chloe Moloney Becky Watkins |
75' | |
| Sadhbh Doyle Louise Masterson |
85' | |
| 86' | Leah Hayes Cohen Karen Connolly |
|
| Megan Smyth-Lynch | 89' |
Past Meetings
Ground
| PRL Park |
|---|
| Club House, College Road, Greenogue Business Park, Rathcoole ED, County Dublin, Leinster, D24 R9YX, Ireland |
Alanna Cunnane
Alanna is currently pursuing her studies in journalism at Dublin City University and writes regularly for her local media outlets in Sligo.
All over. Shelbourne are the champions!
Shelbourne already celebrating in Tolka! Still two minutes to go here but highly unlikely Peas will come back now
Louise Masterson has had to come off injured
Emma Starr is the TG4 player of the match
5 minutes added time
Yellow for Smyth Lynch
Edging closer to the final whistle, there's an aura of disbelief ongoing as to the collapse of Peamount here
Cohen off for Galway, replaced by Conolly
Masterson on, Doyle off
Callanan scores! And its 5-2 to Galway
Watkins on Moloney off for Peas
GOAL GALWAY! Russel curls it into the far corner
Slevin enters the fray for Galway as Therese Kinnevey makes way
Around 20 minutes to go in Greenogue and its all heating up!
Aoife Thompson off, Callanan on for Galway. Smyth Lynch on for McEvoy and Kelly replaces Roche
Reid Burke having to make a lot more saves in the last few minutes
Galway pushing on since that goal, Starr in particular looking lethal
GOAL! GALWAY! Brennan gives them the lead
O'flaherty earns Galway a corner
Ruddy back in action, taking the frees for Peas once again
Wexford have got one back in Tolka Park as play resumes in PLR after a few minutes of a pause
Wexford have got one back in Tolka Park as play resumes in PLR after a few minutes of a pause
Chance for Peamount is collected by Cohen. Ruddy now down injured and receiving treatment
Galway on the attack and Thompson strikes but Ried Burke makes a fantastic save
Nervy start for Peamount since the break, they now need to score (and win) to prevent a playoff
There's been another goal in Tolka as Shels bag a third! Stoppage here in Greenouge as O'Flahety receives treatment
2nd half underway
Halftime in PLR Park. It's been a stellar one so far and if things remain as is we'll be going to a playoff given Shels lead in Tolka Park
Two minutes added time
Free in for Galway and the ball into the box is cleared
Back on an even keel, its all to play for for Galway against Peamount here, but also for Shelbourne's title hopes
5 minutes until half time! McKey equalises
O'Flaherty down the other end has an opportunity but Peas cut it out and go on the break. O'Gorman shoots one towards Cohen's goal but its out wide
McEvoy through on goal but Galway cut it out
An air of quiet has descended on Greenogue after that goal, Galway growing into the game as we speak
Goal! Stunning outside of the boot strike by Starr there on the edge of the box! Just when it looked like it was a wasted chance for Galway after coming off McKey they make good on it
Savannah McCarthy doing dogged work at the minute, trying to drag her side forward while also remaining steadfast at the back
Cleared by McCarthy
Corner for Peas
Another free kick for Ruddy
Some excellent skill from O'Gorman outside of the box there
In North Dublin Shels have just doubled their lead via a Noelle Murray penalty, while in Greenogue Peas continue to look for a more attacking threat
In Tolka Park Jessica Stapleton has just made it 1-0 thanks to a corner
Roche strikes one towards Cohen but she gathers it with ease
Sloppy goal to concede there by Galway as Ruddy catches Cohen off guard with a free kick
High press being employed by both sides. Doyle tires to find Alannah McEvoy in the box there with a low cross but its out for a corner
Doyle's header there goes just over the bar
McKey brought down in the box and there's a penalty call but the referee is having none of it
McCartan sees a long range effort collected by Cohen
GOAL! Tiegan Ruddy's cross finds Aine O'Gorman's head and it lands in the back of the net. An early stronghold on the title clash for the home side
A battle in the opening stages, both sides keen to push forward but when the nerves drown out as the game progresses it will be interesting to see who emerges on top of the breakdown
Chance for Peas early on but Galway boot the ball away
The teams are in and we're ready to go! David Dunne the referee tonight
Coverage is now starting live on TG4!
Under the bright lights of TG4 its all to play for in Greenogue and while Noel King and co battle for top place if Peas secure all three points it will have been to no avail.
On the flipside Leah Hayes Cohen has four clean sheets so far this year, and will need to be in top form again this evening if the visitors are to emerge with a share of the spoils.
Lynsey McKey and Aussie rules export Rachel Kearns lead the fray in that regard for Galway on six goals apiece, with Emma Starr (3), Aoife Thompson (2) and Kate Slevin (2) in hot pursuit.
O’Gorman herself is also involved in the golden boot race, which she is currently leading with 15 nets to her name.
Last time the two met a routine 3-0 victory surfaced for Peamount in a game where Stephanie Roche bagged a brace which was ultimately topped off by captain Aine O’Gorman.
United’s last tie also finished in a draw, a 0-0 stalemate with DLR Waves. A goalkeeping exhibition from Eve Badana on show in that one, their strike-force will be hoping to be flying on all cylinders again today.
Coming off the back of a 1-1 deadlock with Athlone Town the Eamonn Deacy Park outfit have one draw, two wins and two losses in their last five matches, adequately summing up their middle of the table conclusion of sixth place.
Given their impeccable form throughout the season many had pegged the Peas as the outright winners some time ago but today’s fixture has proven to be a vital decider, the Westerners the ones in theory who could prevent their glory.
Kicking off at the same time are Shelbourne and Wexford Youths and with the Reds still in with a shot at the trophy too it’s sure to be a tense 90 minutes of action tonight.
All eyes are upon Peamount United versus Galway WFC this evening as the reigning champions look to seal this year’s WNL title at PLR Park come 7:30p.m. My name is Alanna Cunnane and I'm bringing you tonight's match commentary!