Peas’ edge champs to close in on league title
By Alex Barrett
GOALS from Megan Smyth Lynch and Eleanor Ryan Doyle propelled Peamount United to victory over defending champions Wexford Youths and one step closer to the Women’s National League title in Greenogue on Saturday evening.
The crucial victory keeps them eight points clear of second place Shelbourne who do have a match in hand and to whom the Peas’ play host next month.
Peamount United’s Megan Smyth Lynch sizes up a way past Wexford’s Lynn Craven during their National League clash in Greenogue on Saturday while (inset) the Peamount United team that won 2-1. (Photo by Paddy Barrett)
Wexford kicked off the game in a strong fashion, Rianna Jarrett immediately sparking their attack with support from Lauren Dwyer and Aisling Fraw-ley. However, Peamount’s strong defensive line were able to keep them at bay with Claire Walsh making some telling interceptions.
While maintaining possession for most of the first half, Peamount had difficulty finding the net despite numerous chances to pull ahead. Testing the defence from both sides of the pitch, Naima Chemaou finding herself clear twice in quick succession, but both efforts flew just wide.
Yet Peamount’s relentless pressure was soon reward-ed when Dearabhaile Beirn’s cross into the box from the right wing found Ryan Doyle who headed it towards the goal.
Wexford goalkeeper Maeve Williams got a hand to it, knocking it back into play but Smyth Lynch was there to finish the job and put her side a goal up with 19 minutes of play gone.
Wexford stepped it up a gear with some great balls from Lauren Kelly into the box, but Peamount goalkeeper Niamh Reid Burke proved more than up to the challenge.
Wexford Captain Kylie Murphy would instead be the one to level the game, converting Lauren Kenny’s corner in the 35th minute to leave the side’s dead-locked at the break.
Yet Peamount’s Smyth Lynch and Ryan Doyle would again combine to good effect for the winning goal, this time the latter applying the finish with a great shot from outside the box, curling the ball around Williams and into the right corner midway through the second half.
Ciara Rossiter and Rianna Jarrett led some great attempts by Wexford to equalise for a second time, but Reid Burke pulled off some spectacular stops, catching Jarrett’s shot one handed above her head to maintain the Peas narrow but crucial advantage until the final whistle.
Peamount: N. Reid Burke, L. O’Calaghan, D. Beirne, L. McCarten, C. Walsh, L. Duggan, L. Corrigan, M. Smyth Lynch, E. Ryan Doyle, A. O’Gorman, N. Chemaou, C. Moloney, L. Kealy, J. Reddy, N. Farrelly, L. Masterson, N. Barnes, N. McAloon.
Wexford: M. Williams, L. Craven, L. Dwyer, C. Rossitter, O. Conlon, K. Murphy, A. Frawley, N. Sinnott, L. Kelly, R. Jarrett, E. Kenneddy, C. Dollard, B. Kingsley, B. Cassin, F. Ryan, V. Ogbonna, A. Slattery.
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