Shelbourne kept up their end of the bargain in the three-horse title race with a relatively comfortable win at home to a spirited Treaty United.
Athlone, one point behind leaders Shels, host Cork City at 7.30pm, while Galway United, four points behind, are away to Wexford at 7.35pm. Both Athlone and Galway have two games in hand on the Tolka Park outfit.
Player of the match Kate Mooney bagged a first half brace, with Christie Gray and Maggie Pierce putting the result beyond doubt, before the impressive Treaty duo of Delana Friesen and Danielle Steer took some shine off the result with two top class finishes.
With only four games remaining after today, and having played a game more than leaders Athlone Town and Galway United who sat a point back in third at kick-off, the pressure was on Eoin Wearen’s charges but they certainly didn’t play like it, taking just 10 minutes to get their noses in front.
Despite a blanket of humidity suffocated the famous old ground, the home side made a flying start as Mooney’s first time expertly taken volley put her side in a deserved lead.
Keeva Keenan, on her 100th appearance for the Reds, went close minutes later as she overlapped Leah Doyle but saw her strike from the left hand side of the area sail just past the top corner.
The home side were playing some scintillating stuff as they hit their groove. Following a delightful passing move that included all of the talented front line, the ball eventually made its way to Mooney who smashed a left footed volley just over the bar.
The visitors sent a timely reminder to Shels that they carried a threat of their own midway through the first half when the busy Danielle Steer showed good feet to turn outside the box and drive a low shot at Amanda McQuillan, who got down well.
Both Mooney and Roma McLoughlin spurned further gilt-edged chances with the goal at their mercy, failing to hit the target. But the Reds faithful who could have had slight anxiety at a second goal and if it was ever coming was put to rest as the ex-Peamount United strike Mooney bagged her second.
The talented 25-year old showed great instincts to follow up quickly on Noelle Murray’s initial strike that was, sharply saved by Katie Irwin, to tap home for her third goal in two games..
Two became three on the stroke of half-time when Christie Gray’s cross seemed to catch out the helpless Katie Irwin at the near post.
Dominic Foley rang the changes at half-time with a triple substitution that included replacing goalkeeper Irwin but failed to have the desired effect as, six minutes after the restart, Shels made it four.
Mooney turned provider to find the energetic Maggie Pierce free at the back post and the American did the rest, heading home from close range.
To their immense credit the visitors kept plugging away and got the goal their efforts deserved when, just after the hour mark, Friesen powered home an unstoppable header from a deep corner.
With just minutes remaining Treaty United added an incredible second through a cracking strike from the tireless Steer.
Shelbourne: Amanda McQuillan, Keeva Keenan (Rebecca Devereux, 73’), Pearl Slattery, Leah Doyle (Eadbha O’Mahony, 62’), Rachel Graham (Hannah Healy, 62’), Noelle Murray (Jemma Quinn, 73’), Roma McLoughlin, Jess Gargan, Maggie Pierce, Christie Gray, Kate Mooney (Megan Smyth-Lynch, 62’)
Treaty United: Katie Irwin (Anne-Marie Ulliac, 46’), Mijke Roelfsema, Cara Griffin (Ayaka Ikeza, 46’), Delana Friesen, Leah Martin, Caleigh Boeckx, Jillian O’Toole (Kate O’Donovan, 81’), Katie Lawlee (Laura O’Neill, 81’), Grace Gleeson, Anna Rockett (Grace McInerney, 46’), Danielle Steer
Referee: Alan Franklin
Elsewhere Shamrock Rovers hammered Bohemians 5-1 at Tallaght Stadium.
Katie Malone gave the visitors the lead after two minutes but Joy Ralph, Áine O’Gorman and Fiona Owens hit the net for the Hoops in 10 first half minutes before Stephanie Zambra and Emily Corbet added the insurance goals after the break.
Shamrock Rovers move above their Dublin rivals with that win, up to sixth in the table.
Meanwhile, on a high-scoring day in the league, second from bottom DLR Waves thumped basement dwellers Sligo Rovers 4-0 at the Showgrounds.
Goals from Amber Cosgrove, Keelan Dodd, Aisling Meehan and Shannon Coady saw the visitors increase the gap between the two sides to 10 points
