Shelbourne win 2021 SSE Airtricity WNL

Shelbourne win 2021 SSE Airtricity WNL

Shelbourne pulled off a final day turnaround to win the 2021 SSE Airtricity Women's National League in dramatic fashion.

Noel King's team trailed holders Peamount United by two points going into Saturday's final game at home to Wexford Youths and they knew that Galway WFC needed to do them a favour in PRL Park.

Then the games begin and the drama unfolded with Shelbourne coming out on top to leapfrog Peamount, who lost at home, and the title went to Tolka Park.

Athlone Town 1-1 Bohemians
Lisa Murphy ensured that it was Bohemians and not Athlone Town who finished in sixth position - even though they both ended the season level on points.

Athlone were short a number of players for this final fixture but they did not allow them to have any excuses. In fact, they took the lead through the ever-impressive Kellie Brennan.

There wasn't much between the two sides but Murphy did pull a goal back to help Bohs secure their fourth draw of the season, but crucially the point to stay ahead of Athlone.

Both teams can be pleased with the progress that they made this year, considering it is just their second in the League. But Bohs boss Sean Byrne will be the happier with this result.

Peamount United 2-5 Galway WFC
The League leaders knew their task: win the game and they win the League. And they started brilliantly by scoring twice early on, but then it all slipped away.

Áine O'Gorman's header ensured she won the Golden Boot award for Top Goalscorer before a Tiegan Ruddy free-kick was bundled into the Galway net by goalkeeper Leah Hayes Cohen.

Peamount were in the best possible position, but two great goals, from Emma Starr and Lynsey McKey, drew the scores level going in at the interval.

After the break Galway extended went ahead when a cross from Shauna Brennan flew into the back of the net before ex-Peamount winger Julie-Ann Russell and substitute Abbie Callanan finished it off.

Shelbourne 3-2 Wexford Youths
Noel King knew that his talented squad had the character required to win the League title this year and so they proved it as clinched just their second WNL triumph.

Jessie Stapleton continued her magnificent recent form by netting a brace to keep the north Dublin side in the hunt, while Noelle Murray converted a penalty as they controlled the game.

Wexford, who had to use midfielder Edel Kennedy as a replacement goalkeeper, never stopped fighting with captain Kylie Murphy showing her class by netting twice in the second half.

Ultimately, Shels had done enough to win it - and win the League too. They will meet Wexford in the EVOKE.ie FAI Women's Cup Final next weekend, but, right now, they have some celebrating to do.

Treaty United 1-3 DLR Waves
Even though they missed out on being part of the title race, DLR Waves can be proud of the steps taken this season and this win rounded it off nicely.

Graham Kelly has done a fine job with DLR by introducing many new players but it was a familiar face who put them ahead at Jackman Park when Kerri Letmon fired in.

Limerick midfielder Jenna Slattery, who has been outstanding all season, pulled one back for Treaty but they were unable to mount the fightback needed to break into double figures on points.

Instead, DLR made sure of the victory with Shauna Carroll and Jetta Berrill scoring one apiece to seal a fourth-place finish.

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