WPD round-up: Athlone move to the summit, wins for Peamount and Wexford

Athlone Town returned to the top of the SSE Airtricity Women's Premier Division after a hard-fought 2-1 win away to Shamrock Rovers.

The visitors started strongly with Isabel Ryan and Madison Gibson both going close, and their early efforts were rewarded with the lead 27 minutes in through Casey Howe.

It was Ryan who must take a lot of the credit though, the player racing down the right and breaking into the box before cutting back beautifully for Howe to fire low to the net.

It looked like they would take a lead into the break, but they were pegged back with seconds remaining in the half with Aine O’Gorman drawing the hosts level.

It was a short-lived lead though and it was the electric Ryan who scored what would prove to be the winner in the 54th minute.

Peamount United are up to fourth after a 2-0 win over basement club Sligo Rovers.

Team captain Karen Duggan hit the woodwork for the hosts, but they were being held as they tried to end a run of three games without a win in all competitions.

The breakthrough did arrive 41 minutes in though Freya Healy as she blasted to the net.

United continued to create chances, Duggan again going close, but it took a Ellen Dolan header from a Becky Watkins cross 83 minutes in to make the result safe.

Wexford also recorded a 2-0 home win, visitors Cork City losing out.

The home side created plenty of opportunities in the first half but they couldn’t find a way through with the post denying Aoibheann Clancy.

Two goals early in the second half sent them on their way to the points, however.

Della Doherty headed them ahead in the 51st minute and three minutes later Ciara Rossiter added a second.

Ellen Molloy was the latest player to be denied by the post, but it mattered little as Wexford came out