IT WAS GOING to take something special for Shelbourne to spoil Peamount United’s party in a top-of-the-table Women’s National League clash — and Ireland U19 international Rebecca Cooke provided the goods on Saturday night.
A sublime goal was hands down the highlight of the Greenogue showdown, Cooke ultimately sealing the win with Shelbourne’s second goal of the night.
The U19 star had a pop from distance straight off a throw-in, brilliantly finding the top corner after shooting on the turn.
Stop that Rebecca Cooke! What a goal! #WeAreShels 🔴⚪️ https://t.co/FRuUjiVKmv
— Shelbourne FC (@shelsfc) October 13, 2019
A Peamount win would have clinched the 2019 league title, but after the 2-1 result, second-placed Shels now move just two points behind with two games remaining.
Peas now face DLR Waves and Cork City in their final two games, while Shelbourne also meet DLR before finishing their campaign against reigning champions Wexford Youths.
Rivalries will be renewed in cup action on Wednesday night first, however, as Shels and Peamount go head-to-head in the second Só Hotels FAI Cup semi-final. That fixture is again down for PRL Park, Greenogue [KO 7.45pm] with a place in the decider against holders Wexford Youths on 3 November up for grabs.
Meanwhile yesterday, there was a dramatic Munster derby at Markets Fields as Cork City edged past Limerick through a 94th-minute Saoirse Noonan penalty.
Noonan, who also stars for the Cork ladies footballers and has dipped her toes into AFLW of late, was on target from 13 yards twice, her previous 74th-minute spot kick making it 2-1.
It was the hosts who opened the scoring early through Aoife Horgan, before Katie McCarthy pulled one back for the Leesiders as half time approached. After the break, 20-year-old Noonan had Cork ahead until Horgan again hit home to bring the sides level on 84 minutes.
But Noonan held her composure to dispatch the last-gasp injury-time penalty, and in turn, secure all three points for her side in Limerick.
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