Rovers edge out champs Peamount

SHAMROCK Rovers earned three points at the home of European hopefuls Peamount United, beating The Greenogue Giants 1-0 in what was a vocal, frenetic and sometimes scrappy 90 minutes of football reports Christine Allen.

Rovers donned their classic black jersey with the turquoise sash design while The Peas sported their traditional dark green shirt and white shorts.

United were spirited in the opening twenty minutes and had success via Becky Watkins on the right wing – her one v one battle with the tenacious Savannah McCarthy a real treat for the crowd underneath the compact main stand who made themselves heard as both duelled.

Watkins and Jessica Fitzergald had success early on both respective channels, swinging ball after ball into the box which prompted skipper Aine O’Gorman to track back for Rovers and make a number of crucial interceptions.

“Get higher!”

Amanda Budden roared as Fitzgerald drove forward once more and popped off a shot with her right that the goal minder would collect.

Chloe Moloney and Jetta Berrill looked solid at the back whenever The Hoops did initiate an attack – Maria Reynolds exploiting space as McCarthy pushed high.

Peamount United team line up with mascots

That was until the electric charge of Lia O’Leary blitzing past not one, not two but three Peamount players (who hit the deck as the number 11 weaved beyond their reach) sparked The Hoops to life.

The breakthrough for Rovers came minutes later when Maria Reynolds, who moved with the self-assuredness of a player who has mastered their craft, played a visionary over the top pass to Stephanie Zambra who did well to keep the ball in play and drive it across the goalmouth.

You never doubted Joy Ralph as the Greenhills native beat the green shirt to the ball, firing first time from an awkward angle with her left boot into the bottom right hand corner.

In the heart of the park, Scarlett Herron and Aoife Kelly put in a real shift, bossing the midfield like Alan Sugar in the boardroom of The Apprentice.

“There’s too many kickouts we’re not winning!”

A Peas defender remonstrated with her teammates as Rovers continued to dominate.

A fine save from Niamh Reid Burke on the stroke of half-time kept Peamount in it – McCarthy releasing Ralph who beat both Berrill and Moloney for pace to cut back a cross for her skipper who laid it off for the number 10.

Zambra saw the opportunity before the tee off formed in O’Gormans mind and raced to place herself within reach, firing with power towards the bottom right but Peamount’s goal minder parried it clear.

A point blank strike from Ellen Dolan after the restart was somehow kept out of the net as Peamount began to beat Rovers to first and second balls.

“Keep at it Peamount, drive them on!”

Peas manager James O’Callaghan encouraged, channelling Duffer energy on the touchline.

In what was a promising spell for the homeside, Rovers had trouble retaining possession – Peamount snapping for the equaliser at their heels. “Keep the ball!”

Budden remonstrated as substitute Keri Letmon began to light up the right wing.

Peamount’s best chance to equalise came in the 64th minute when the ball was pickpocketed from Kelly by a lively Fitzgerald and laid off for Dolan who’s placement was just a couple of inches shy off the right corner to cause the Rovers goal minder any trouble.

As the minutes passed, Burke expressed dissatisfaction to the referee with the lack of service on ball rotation – a nod to her frustration as the final whistle loomed closer.

The introduction of former DLR Dynamo Michelle Doonan was not enough to save a point from the fixture for Peamount, who ultimately succumbed to a 1-0 defeat to Rovers.

Meanwhile, Peamount United’s Champions League campaign started brilliantly after a 2-1 victory against Belarusian side Dinamo-BSUPC in Osijek, Croatia today.

Thanks to goals from Ellen Dolan and Kerri Letmon, the Irish champions will now face either hosts Osijek or Slovakian side Spartak Myjava in the Round One final on Saturday.

If Peamount should win that fixture, they will be just one two-legged playoff away from Champions League group stage football, a stage no Irish side has ever competed on.