- James Fallon
- Sun, Sep 09 2012
Second half goals from Stephanie Roche and Sara Lawlor saw Peamount United maintain their 100% record in the Women's National League with a victory over Castlebar Celtic in Celtic Park on Sunday afternoon.
The current league champions dominated the clash from the kick-off, both Roche and Lawlor had chances in the first quarter but were unable to capitalise.
Peamount went close on 24 minutes after a goalmouth scramble saw the ball fall to Sara Lawlor. Her first shot on goal was only parried by Castlebar Celtic keeper Marian Murray; the ball pushed out to Susan Byrne. Her shot was blocked on the line by a defender who directed the ball into the path of Lawlor once again. Lawlor put her second chance in quick succession wide of the goal.
The home sides first real chance came on the half hour mark. Celtic's Emma Hansberry broke down the left wing, easily skipping by her opponent before playing a through ball to Aoife Gibbons. Before Gibbons could do anything, Peamount netminder Linda Meehan slide tackled the attacker just outside the box, winning the ball in the process.
The second half started evenly with both sides creating opportunities. Sara Lawlor continued to plague the Castlebar rearguard with a number of chances but the game remained scoreless through a combination of good goalkeeping from Murray and Celtic's luck holding out.
Castlebar's best chance of the second half came in the 71st minute. Rachel King played the ball from the edge of the box to Hansberry, who cut in from the wing and cut it back to Emma Mullen. Her shot was struck directly at Meehan in the Peamount goal.
The deadlock was finally broken in the 73rd minute when Stephanie Roche's shot from outside of the box found its way into the bottom left hand corner of the Celtic goal.
It wasn't long until the visitors doubled their lead. On 79 minutes, Lawlor finally got her goal when she was played in one-on-one with the keeper and slotted the ball into the bottom right corner.
Despite a few final attempts from Castlebar, Peamount United kept their clean sheet and 100% record in the 2012/2013 WNL. They are in 2nd place just behind Raheny United on goal difference. Castlebar Celtic are 6th however they have only played one game.
Castlebar Celtic: Marian Murray, Laura Carroll, Jenny Byrne, Stacey Muldowney, Rachel King, Shaunagh Jackson, Maria Harrington, Emma Hansberry, Lauren Boles, Emma Mullin, Aoife Gibbons
Subs: Sara McGeough, Amy Hopkins, Aileen Collins, Lisa Casserly, Ciara Carroll
Peamount United: Linda Meehan, Amy McLoughlin, Emily Cahill, Susan Byrne, Louise Quinn, Caroline Healy, Jennifer Ferrari, Ruth Comerford, Julie-Ann Russell, Sara Lawlor, Stephanie Roche
Subs: Emma Donohue, Solene Barbance
Referee: Paula Brady
