League of Ireland Women's Premier Division: Peamount edge Treaty despite showing studs

Peamount United took a massive step towards the league title with a truly hard-fought win over Treaty United in an enthralling encounter League of Ireland Women's Premier Division clash at PRL Park.

An Erin McLaughlin double either side of the break saw the Peamount maintain their valuable six-point lead at the summit with just three games remaining, but they had to dig deep for their win when Orlagh Fitzpatrick finished brilliantly to force a nervy ending.

In truly bizarre circumstances, the home side were forced to play the opening quarter of an hour with 10-players as one of their star players, Sadhbh Doyle, was forced to remove a tiny stud in her nose piercing.

But despite the coaching and medical staff's best efforts, the situation couldn't be resolved, leaving James O’Callaghan with no option but to make an early substitution and introduce Avril Brierly for the now tearful Doyle.

Back to their full complement, the home side began to look a real threat going forward.

Having suffered a major blow in losing top scorer Kate Mooney to English side Lewes FC in the Women's Championship, it was the woman tasked with filling her boots, Ellen Dolan, who went close twice in quick succession.

Firstly, the hard-working striker did well to get on the end of a low Dearbhaile Beirne cross from the left but saw her first-time strike sail just over. Minutes later, Dolan rose highest in a crowded area but failed to hit the target with a powerful header.

The left-hand side for Peamount was causing all sorts of problems for the visitors, with Beirne bombing on from left back, and it was this same avenue which earned the table-toppers a chance to get in front.

Linking up well with the new starlet on the block, Freya Healy, Beirne burst into the