Peamount edge out Shels in derby thriller

Peamount United took a massive leap forward in a thrilling title race with a thrilling 1-0 win at a sun-soaked Tolka Park.

The visitors stretched their lead at the top thanks to an excellent first half Sadhbh Doyle header in a thrilling, high quality and end-to-end encounter.

But it was The Peas who emerged victorious in a hotly contested Dublin Derby, enacting revenge on the only side to beat them this season - that 4-1 defeat in Greenogue in the reverse fixture.

Rachel Graham set the tone for the home side determined to retain their title with a crashing tackle on Rebecca Watkins just a few seconds in.

The visitors welcomed back Irish International starlet Tara O'Hanlon from suspension and the all action full-back was straight into the action showing tremendous pace to get on the cover and deny Jemma Quinn a clear run on goal, having been played through by Nadine Clare.

The hosts made most of the early running and were unlucky not to take the lead when Christie Gray’s powerful strike went across goal, narrowly missing the top corner.

But James O’Callaghan’s charges showed just why they are leading the chasing pack as they weathered the early storm and took the lead with a quarter of an hour gone.

Erin McLoughlin showed excellent quick feet on the edge of the area to fashion a strike on goal but was deflected wide. And from the resulting corner Sadhbh Doyle, fresh from her match winning double at home to Galway United, found a yard of space in a crowded area to head home.

Having composed themselves from the early set back, Shels thought they grabbed an equaliser following a slightly bizarre goalmouth scramble. Leah Doyle’s initial deflected cross took a strangely high bounce in front of Niamh Reid-Burke as she came to collect,