Two second-half goals in as many minutes sent Peamount United on the way to a 4-0 victory against Sligo Rovers as the Dublin side brought three Women’s Premier Division points home from The Showgrounds, writes Conall Collier.

Following a scoreless first-half, Peamount took control and were quite comfortable in the closing stages as Carla McManus, Becky Watkins, Kate Mooney and Avril Brierly found the net.

Peamount dictated the opening minutes without creating any clearcut chances, but then hosts Sligo Rovers began to press in the opposition half and this posed a few problems for the Dublin side’s rearguard.

The result of all that was an increase in the tempo from Peamount and between the 15th and 30th minutes the Bit O’Red rearguard was stretched on a number of occasions.

Orna O’Dowd and Alice Lillie at the back along with Lauren Boles and Jodie Loughrey kept a compact unit sufficiently intact to deny Erin McLaughlin, Tara O’Hanlan and Kate Mooney, twice, before there was a chance for the hosts at the other end.

That was in the 32nd minute when Emma Doherty was narrowly wide with a good effort while soon after both Loughrey and Casey Howe earned corners from good approach play, but it remained scoreless at the break.

The hosts resumed smartly and a 51st minute Keela Scanlon header was saved by Niamh Reid-Burke, but that was as good as it got for the Bit O’Red and the prospects of victory disintegrated in that two-minute spell.

Carla McManus fired Peamount into a 54th minute lead after capitalising on a defensive lapse and then Becky Watkins finished a fine effort to the net for a 2-0 advantage.

Sadhbh Doylke missed a sitter for 3-0, but there was a major let-off for Peamount with 20 minutes remaining.

Emma Doherty was denied twice by Reid-Burke and as the ball pinged around the penalty area Lauren Boles and Jodie Loughrey had a go, but a corner was the only reward.

Peamount continued to dominate and Kate Mooney made it 3-0 with a fine goal in the 77th minute and thescoring was wrapped up near the end through substitute Avril Brierley.

Sligo Rovers were denied a late consolation when Emma Hansberry hit the crossbar in the final minute.

Sligo Rovers – Amy Mahon; Alice Lillie, Keela Scanlon, Orna O’Dowd, Sarah Kiernan, Leah Kelly, Lauren Boles, Emma Hansberry, Jodie Loughrey, Casey Howe, Emma Doherty. 

Subs – Keri Loughrey for Kelly and Kerri O’Hara for O’Dowd both 73 mins, Aoife Brennan for Doherty and Katie Melly for Howe both 80m, Aife Haran for Scanlon 88m.

Peamount Utd – Niamh Reid Burke; Lauryn O’Callaghan, Jetta Berrill, Chloe Moloney, Becky Watkins, Sadhbh Doyle, Carla McManus, Erin McLaughlin, Tara O’Hanlon, Karen Duggan, Kate Mooney. Subs – Jessica Fitzgerald for Doyle 72 mins, Avril Brierly for McManus and Helen Dolan for Mooney both 77m, Dora Gorman for McLaughlin and Orla Fitzpatrick for Watkins both 85m.
 
Referee – Mark Lynch.
Assistant-referees – Chris Campbell, Ciaran Delaney.