Galway lose 100% record after stalemate with Shelbourne
Galway United saw their 100% start to the season come to an end, but remain undefeated after a hard-fought draw at Tolka Park.
In a titanic tussle between two title favourites, a scoreless draw was probably on the cards as the hosts, yet to concede at home, went to war against the side yet to concede on the road but it wasn't for the lack of want of trying from both sets of players.
But the home side's record was almost smashed within the opening three minutes when Emma Doherty found some space in a packed penalty area from Aobhin Donnelly's inswinging free kick. The only surprise given the forward's good form this season was the ball failed to hit the back of the net, as it came crashing off the crossbar.
Reeling from the loss of the in-form flying winger Becky Watkins, suffering from concussion following last week's bruising Dublin derby against Bohemians in the All-Island Cup final, the home side woke up, sharply pressing at a relentless pace but failing to test for keeper Amanda McQuillan, who was determined to put in a standout performance against her former employers.
In a tough tackling war of attrition, huge drama reared its head midway through the first half. Ceola Bergin was brought down just inches outside the box on the right, and from the resulting free-kick Isabella Beletic reacted quickest to the second ball, and bundled over, having gotten ahead of Mya Sanchez.
Referee Oliver Moran pointed to the spot but immediately overturned his decision, with a flag being raised for offside amidst the chaos in the box.
Sanchez was definitely the busier of the two keepers pulling off two outstanding saves to keep her side level at the break. Firstly, Mooney was sharp in the box to nip in and steal the ball from Aoibheann Clancy and, with the goal at her mercy, saw the looming figure of the American stopper, who was brave from point-blank range.
Minutes later Sanchez was at it again, this time at full stretch to tip Remini Tillotson's curling effort, destined for the far corner, around the post at the crucial moment.
Desperately looking to close the five-point gap on the league leaders, the home side came flying out of the traps for the second half. Brie Severns was clipped by Tillotson right on the edge of the area, allowing Clancy to set her sights on goal.
But the Irish international was denied brilliantly by her former team-mate, who saved sharply.
With a quarter of an hour remaining there were some upsetting scenes when Bergin went down in worrying fashion trying to turn and catch Aoife Kelly.
After some lengthy treatment, the talented teenager was able to be helped off the field without the need for a stretcher.
The tension could be cut by a knife as the battle between two heavyweights entered the dying embers, knowing one mistake or chance would prove pivotal; it was the home side who went closest a couple of minutes before the end.
Keeva Keenan’s long throw was cleverly flicked on by Aoife Kelly, with the ball finding its way through to Lara Whelan whose close range strike was snuffed out yet again by McQuillan, who refused to be beaten as both sides were forced to share the spoils.
Shelbourne: Mya Sanchez; Jess Gargan, Pearl Slattery, Maggie Pierce, Leah Doyle; Aoife Kelly, Alex Kavanagh, Aoibheann Clancy; Maeve Wollmer (Keeva Keenan, 46’), Olivia Damico (Madeleine McKinley, 72’), Brie Severns (Lara Whelan, 67’)
Galway United: Amanda McQuillan; Aoibhin Donnelly, Eve Dossen, Remi Tillotson, Lucy Jayne Grant; Niamh Farrelly, Isabella Beletic; Kate Thomsson, Aobheann Costello (Cara Griffin, 90+1’); Ceola Bergin (Amy Madden, 79’), Emma Doherty
Referee: Oliver Moran
Dan Scheriff netted in the second half to give Athlone the 1-0 win at home to Treaty United that brought them level with Galway at the top of the table. Elsewhere Wexford thumped Peamount 5-2 at home, Ciara Rossiter and Courtney Chochol both bagging a brace.
Waterford lost 2-1 at home to Sligo, while there were draws between DLR Waves and Cork City - who gained their first point of the campaign - and Shamrock Rovers and Bohemians.
