Peamount cement their position as league leaders with win over Athlone

Peamount United continued their quest for a third consecutive Women’s National League title with a convincing victory over Athlone Town at PRL Park in Greenogue this evening.

Following last weekend’s defeat to Wexford Youths in the FAI Cup semi-final, James O’Callaghan’s side were eager for a return to winning ways.

They have led the way in the WNL for the vast majority of 2021 and now find themselves in pole position to hold off the challenges of the aforementioned Wexford and Shelbourne in the race for the title.

The Newcastle outfit were determined to hit the ground running against their Midlands visitors and broke the deadlock with six minutes gone on the clock.

After Aine O’Gorman was fouled outside the penalty area, Stephanie Roche shook the net off a clinically struck free-kick.

This was a perfect start to the action for Peamount and O’Gorman was perilously close to doubling their lead off the next attack. However, their second of the game eventually arrived in the 17th-minute.

Recently nominated for Intermediate Player of the Year thanks to her exploits with the Westmeath ladies footballers, Lucy McCartan was on hand to double the hosts’ lead over her home county side.

The champions continued to pile pressure on Athlone and it came as little surprise when they increased their buffer in the closing minutes of the opening period.

Sadhbh Doyle has made a big impression in the Peamount attack this season and she fired home in fine style to give her side a commanding 3-0 interval advantage.

The Peas were in no mood to rest on their laurels and a fourth goal duly arrived on 55 minutes.

Full-back Lauryn O’Callaghan was desperately unfortunate to see her firm effort crashing off the post, but McCartan was ideally placed to claim a second goal on the night.

With all three points well and truly wrapped up, this was an ideal opportunity for head coach O’Callaghan to take a look at his reserve options.

Lauren Kelly was a lively presence off the bench and came close to finding the net inside the final-quarter.

Megan Smyth-Lynch almost added to her own seasonal tally in the dying minutes, but it was another excellent evening at the office for Peamount nonetheless.