Shelbourne beat Galway in key league encounter

Shelbourne continue to breathe down the neck of league leaders Athlone after an enthralling victory at Eamonn Deacy Park over fellow title hopefuls Galway United.

Kate Mooney continued her red-hot form in front of goal to take a huge three points back to Dublin as a brave Galway side fell just short in front of a crowd of 1,239.

The teamtalk was simple for both Phil Trill and Eoin Wearen - win and keep the title race going for another week - while knowing in the back of their minds that a draw would give Athlone the opportunity to wrap up the title later at home to Shamrock Rovers.

Both sides started at a relentless pace, reflecting the knockout tie feel to the occasion and it was the visitors who were a whisker from taking the lead early on when Leah Doyle produced two inswinging corners of the highest quality.

The first was whipped to the front post forcing Galway skipper Jenna Slattery to narrowly miss the target with a flick on that could have gone anywhere.

And from the resulting corner, Doyle almost scored direct this time with a deeper delivery that was inches away from the farpost.

The hosts went flying down the opposite end and Slattery showed her quality taking on all-comers before delivering a pinpoint cross onto the unmarked Emily Kavanaugh's head who failed to hit the target.

And with 10-minutes played it was the FAI Cup finalists that hit the front.

Created brilliantly by Noelle Murray who cleverly released the in-form Christie Gray - with two assists and a goal in her last outing - who saw her powerful shot initially well-parried by Jessica Berlin into the path of Leah Doyle.

Her first time follow-up effort was quickly blocked by Therese Kinnevey, but unfortunately for the right back, saw the ball fall kindly to