LAST UPDATE | 2 May 2021
REIGNING CHAMPIONS PEAMOUNT United were 3-0 winners over Treaty United in the Women’s National League [WNL] this afternoon, as they continued their impressive winning run atop the table.
While Treaty are rooted to the bottom of the Women’s National League [WNL], they certainly made the unbeaten leaders work for this win, defending brilliantly and bravely for sustained periods at Jackman Park.
In fact, Peamount goalkeeper Naoisha McAloon — given her chance to shine ahead of first-choice Niamh Reid-Burke — was forced to pull off a massive save early on to deny Aoife Horgan.
Her counterpart at the other end, Michaela Mitchell, was on high alert all afternoon as her side shut Peamount out and frustrated the league and cup double holders.
But Sadhbh Doyle broke the deadlock with a long-range strike off the back of a short corner in the 51st minute, and the floodgates opened from there.
⚽ GOAL | Sadhbh Doyle
— Women's National League (@FAI_WNL) May 2, 2021
Peamount break the deadlock with a corner routine from straight off the training ground!@TreatyUnitedFC 0-1 @peamountutd pic.twitter.com/ItnjuUmGCn
The visitors piled on the pressure, Eleanor Ryan-Doyle having a goal disallowed shortly afterwards — but before two goals in three minutes sealed the win.
Áine O’Gorman slotted home in the 65th minute, and Ryan-Doyle made it second time lucky in the 68th as the Greenogue outfit emptied their bench, content with their performance.
That said, Jemma Slattery went close for Treaty down the home straight, plenty of positives to be taken for the Limerick outfit overall.
Yesterday’s games
As she so often does, Ireland and Wexford Youths teenage sensation Ellen Molloy lit up the WNL this weekend with a simply stunning goal.
The 16-year-old’s worldie was, without a doubt, the pick of the goals as Wexford beat Galway WFC 5-0 at Ferrycarrig Park yesterday.
Ellen Molloy 🔥🔥🔥 pic.twitter.com/5JyLghx9xD
— Emma Duffy (@emmaduffy_) May 1, 2021
Molloy showed just how special of a player she is once again, with an incredible long-range finish. But it wasn’t just the left-footed strike that made it an eye-catching goal, the Zidane roulette turn in the run up was a thing of beauty, as was the one-two with captain Kylie Murphy and the build-up beforehand.
“That is something else from Ellen Molloy. That’s one of her best and she’s scored a good few already,” commentator Ronan McCarthy said.
“It’s ridiculous,” Scott Gaynor agreed. “You try and play it down every time you see her play, there’s enough pressure on the kid. But when she keeps doing things like this, it’s hard not to talk about it.
“She’s a ridiculous talent. We spoke about the legacy of Rianna Jarrett, what a legacy this young kid is going to leave.”
This absolute wondergoal from Ellen Molloy left our commentators almost speechless! 💫#LOITV pic.twitter.com/1FSgxkmSCf
— Wexford Youths Women (@YouthsWomen) May 1, 2021
An own goal put the hosts in the driving seat before Lynn Marie Grant made it 2-0 by half time. Sinead Taylor, Molloy and Aisling Frawley rounded off the win in the second half — Thomastown woman Molloy adding another goal after recently scoring four against Treaty United.
The win put them temporarily top of the table, before Peamount returned to the summit on 12 points. They, and Shelbourne — who beat DLR Waves 2-1 yesterday after a tight battle at Tolka Park — have a game in hand.
Molloy’s brilliant goal wasn’t the only in the WNL yesterday, DLR’s Carla McManus’ incredible long-range, dipping effort certainly deserving of a mention:
WHAT A STRIKE 💥
— DLRWaves (@DLRWaves) May 1, 2021
Lets check out that Carla McManus goal from a different angle 🎥#TogetherWeAreStronger 🌊 pic.twitter.com/ttaUqNXZ46
⚽ GOAL OF THE SEASON CONTENDER | @Carlamcmanus5
— Women's National League (@FAI_WNL) May 1, 2021
Carla McManus found the back of the net from 35-yards out in this afternoon's game versus Shelbourne 🚀@shelsfc 2-1 @DLRWaves #WNL | #LOITV pic.twitter.com/FWvij4FHsi
Elsewhere in the league last night, Athlone Town and Cork City played out a 2-2 draw in the Midlands. Melissa O’Kane sealed a point for Athlone late on, after Cork goals from Becky Cassin and Christina Dring, and the other courtesy of an Emma Donoghue penalty.
