Shelbourne captain Pearl Slattery glad to overcome title pressure

Shelbourne captain Pearl Slattery praised her team-mates for the way in which they dealt with the pressure and delivered a successful SSE Airtricity Women's National League title defence.

The 2021 league champions went into Saturday's final-day fixture at rivals Wexford Youths knowing that whichever side won the match would take the trophy.

There was also the possibility that Shels could be forced into a play-off if they drew at Ferrycarrig Park and Athlone Town won their own match at Bohemians.

However, it was Shels who emerged victorious, beating Wexford 4-0 to win the league title once again, finishing two points clear of an Athlone side who they will face in next weekend's FAI Women's Cup final, and a further four ahead of Peamount United and Wexford.

"An unbelievable feeling and the pressure we were under the last two or three weeks, we had to win," Slattery told TG4 at full-time.

"To come down to a place like Wexford away and have to win, and to put in that performance, what can I say about the girls, staff and our fans, family and friends. This is for all of them."

Shels manager Noel King echoed his captain's sentiments about the ability to handle the significant pressure on his team.

"Coming to Wexford, if they won the match, they win the league. The pressure is on, the girls answered that pressure and they delivered it, not only (did) they answer it, but they were surpreme and once they got the second goal, they went on to get four which they fully deserved. Delighted."

Watch Shamrock Rovers v Derry City in the SSE Airtricity League live on RTÉ2 and RTÉ Player on Sunday from 6.45pm