Peamount United won the 2020 Women’s National League title by 3-1 against Shelbourne at PRL Park.
Áine O’Gorman scored twice and Karen Duggan got one as they fought back from Emily Whelan’s opener for Shels to successfully defend their title.
In front of Republic of Ireland Women’s National Team Manager Vera Pauw, it was a tight first half with few goalscoring opportunities created as victory for either team would have seen them crowned as League winners.
Shels take the lead
Less than a minute into the second half Whelan scored, despite goalkeeper Niamh Reid-Burke getting a hand to it. Shels celebrated as Peamount were left stunned.
The game started to open up after that with Duggan pulling the strings for the home side, while Ciara Grant and Whelan impressed for The Reds.
On 66 minutes, Shels broke away and Rebecca Cooke looked certain to score. Before she could unleash a shot O’Gorman came out of nowhere with a superb tackle to deny her.
Two goals for O’Gorman
At the other end O’Gorman showed her class by scoring her 13th League goal of the season from a direct free-kick, after Duggan was fouled on the edge of the penalty area.
That goal gave Peamount confidence and they took advantage as Duggan got in front of her marker to head in past Shels goalkeeper Rachael Kelly.
Grant had a fantastic opportunity to level matters on 85 minutes but the Shels midfielder failed to fully connect with the ball.
With that the game slipped away from them as O’Gorman got her second of the night. She hooked the ball in from close range and that wrapped up the League win. Peamount won the title with a game to spare as they take on Wexford Youths on December 5th.
Teams
Peamount United: Reid-Burke; O’Callaghan (Barnes 90), Walsh, Farrelly, Beirne; O’Gorman, McCartan (Doyle 65), Duggan, McEvoy (Watkins 87); Ryan-Doyle; Roche (Smyth-Lynch 65).
Shelbourne: Kelly; Gleeson (Kavanagh 78), Slattery, Finn; Graham (Mooney 85); Gargan, Cooke, Grant, Ziu, Atkinson; Whelan.
Referee: Paula Brady.
