Peamount off to perfect start in league
By Sean Heffernan
PEAMOUNT United Ladies made the other sides in the Continental Tyres Women’s National League stand up and take note, as they saw off the challenge of Shelbourne in an impressive 4-1 win, reports Sean Heffernan.
Both teams had to rip up their pre-season plans due to the bad weather that swept the country in the past few weeks.
Karen Duggan of Peamount United in action against Nicole Plunkett of Kilkenny United
However any fears that the lack of preparation might hamper the Newcastle sides start to the season, were quickly put to bed by the emphatic performance against their Drumcondra rivals.
The game sparked to life in the 13th minute when Sarah McKevitt’s shot cannoned back off the inside frame of the goal and came back out.
The away side furiously protested that the ball had gone over the line, but the referee in the end awarded them a corner kick instead.
However the deadlock was finally broken just after the midway point in the First-Half when Aine O’Goman’s sweetly stuck free kick was smashed into the top corner from 20 yards out.
Shelbourne’s Noelle Murray came close to equalizing for the Northsiders, but her shot agonisingly bounced off the post and out.
Just six minutes after the restart, Peamount found themselves 2-0 up, with Amber Barret’s strike leaving reds keeper Amanda McQuillan stranded.
Nine minutes later James O’Callaghan’s side but the result beyond doubt when a saved Barrett shot fell nicely to the oncoming McKevitt, who made sure she didn’t miss this time.
O’Gorman then added her second, and the Pea’s fourth goal of the game, as she brilliantly finished off an expertly scooped pass from Elenaor Ryan-Dolye to smash the ball home from just outside the box.
The home side grabbed a late consolation when Allanah Lynch flicked her free kick into the path of Leanna Kiernan, as the match ended in a 4-1 win to the visitors.
After the heartbreak of losing the race for last season’s league title to Wexford Youth by just two points, the Newcastle side has certainly made their intent known to all and sundry as they saw off last years third places finisher Shelbourne with consummate ease.
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