Brilliant O’Gorman leads Peamount to title glory

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Peamount United 3-1 Shelbourne

Peamount United were crowned National Women’s League champions for the second consecutive season thanks to a throbbing 3-1 victory over Shelbourne.

A second-half double by Aine O’Gorman, on either side of Karen Duggan’s header, led the Peas to their fourth national league title.

Emily Whelan had given Shels the lead early in the second half, and with one hand on the trophy, but the champions proved that her character and experience prevailed.

It was a winner-take-all clash in West Dublin as three points for each side would seal the title, while a draw would leave Peamount in the driver’s seat as they travel to Wexford on the final day.

Shels, despite leading the table, was most in need of the three points and undertook his task with determination.

Whelan was denied by a good save by Niamh Reid-Burke in six minutes when she was released one-on-one with the Irish international.

Reid-Burke saved Izzy Atkinson’s free throw before Whelan, again, went to goal and was parried by another strong save from the goalkeeper.

If the first half was cautious, the second was opened wide in a minute when Whelan found the back of the net.

His shot from inside the box appeared to be covered by Reid-Burke, but the ball slipped out of the keeper’s hands and into the net.

Shels was not content with just one and continued creating, Ciara Grant found the side net and Rebecca Cooke was denied by O’Gorman’s save challenge.

However, Duggan and O’Gorman have been playing together for a long time and it was their experience that brought them back into the game.

It was a foul on Duggan that led to the leveler, when O’Gorman hit a perfect free throw to the corner. O’Gorman returned the favor with the cross for Duggan to lead them to the front.

And top scorer O’Gorman had the last laugh, stabbing home her 14th goal of the season from close range to secure the points and the league crown.

Peamount United: Niamh Reid-Burke; Lauryn O’Callaghan, Claire Walsh, Deirbhaile Beirne; Karen Duggan, Lucy McCartan (Sadbh Doyle 65), Eleanor Ryan Doyle; Áine O’Gorman, Alannah McEvoy (Becky Watkins 87), Stephanie Roche (Megan Smyth-Lynch 65).

Shelbourne: Rachel Kelly; Jess Gleeson (Alex Kavanagh 78), Pearl Slattery, Jamie Finn; Jess Gargan, Rachel Graham (Kate Mooney 85), Ciara Grant, Izzy Atkinson; Jessica Ziu, Rebecca Cooke, Emily Whelan.



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