Women's Premier Division wrap: Peamount United start title defence with win at Cork City

The SSE Airtricity Women's Premier Division champions Peamount United got their title defence off to a winning start with a 2-0 victory against Cork City at Turners Cross on Saturday evening.

Goals in either half from Erin McLaughlin and Karen Duggan were enough to see James O’Callaghan’s Peamount side come out on top with the victory and the three points.

Although only one day into the season, there were some very early indicators that Peamount look sharp in all departments and they will be looking to successfully defend their crown.

In the opening stages Peamount were keen to set their stall out straight away. City shot stopper Clodagh Fitzgerald was forced into making a fine stop to deny a Duggan effort from close range for Peamount just past the quarter-of-an-hour mark.

A few minutes later, Fitzgerald made another fine save from a Peamount attack to deny Erica Burke in the 21st minute.

However the away side took the lead with 27 minutes played on the clock. Republic of Ireland international McLaughlin controlled well inside the penalty area by chesting it down, before finishing impressively and clinically to the back of the net.

For their part, City did get a few attempts on goal away, but there was nothing to seriously concern Peamount goalkeeper Niamh Reid Burke.

At the end of a competitive opening half of football, it was that impressively taken finish by McLaughlin which was the difference between the sides.

Peamount pushed for a second in the early stages of the second half. It duly arrived on the hour mark, when Duggan found the corner with a peach of a finish.

The visitors had their tails up at this stage, with a McLaughlin shot blocked down well by Niamh Cotter.

City looked for a route back into the contest, with