WDL: Dundalk FC 2-2 Peamount United

Dundalk FC and Peamount United produced a thrilling 2-2 draw at Oriel Park on Sunday afternoon, with both teams delivering committed performances despite enduring torrential rainfall for long spells.

Sophie Hanlon had the first chance of the match after four minutes, but her shot went narrowly wide of Byrne’s near post. Peamount then began to apply pressure, with Abigail Martin and Aoife Fanning doing well to marshal the Dundalk defence. Edan Tyler-Laughton was relieved to see Moore’s long-range effort come back off the top of the crossbar after 17 minutes.

Dundalk responded with Meagan O’Connor and Ernesta Marut combining well to create a chance for Sarah Byrne, but the opportunity was well covered by the Peamount defence.

Tyler-Laughton had to be at her brilliant best after 20 minutes, pushing a powerful Doyle shot away at full stretch, while Byrne saved well from Marut’s speculative long-range shot shortly afterwards.

The visitors took the lead after 35 minutes when Curtis dispatched Flannery’s low cross past Tyler-Laughton. Dundalk’s equaliser came just a few minutes later, as Hanlon broke the offside trap before producing a stunning lob over the advancing Byrne from 30 yards.

Dundalk almost took the lead when Marut broke clear on the right, only to see her shot go over the bar. However, the home side did go in front a minute later when Shauna Smyth produced a sensational swerving strike from 25 yards that beat Byrne and went in via the crossbar.

Tyler-Laughton then had to be at her best to deny a low drive from Moore, before Flannery dragged a shot wide from the edge of the box.

The second half began in a downpour, with both teams continuing to give everything. Peamount found their equaliser after 58 minutes when Flannery fired home a magnificent strike from the edge of the box. Tyler-Laughton was called into action again shortly afterwards, denying another excellent effort from Flannery.

Peamount pushed Dundalk back for long periods, but a disciplined Dundalk defence held firm. It took until the 82nd minute for Peamount to create another clear chance, when Saunders broke through, but her lob over Tyler-Laughton went narrowly wide.

Both sides had opportunities to win it late on, but in the end, they were forced to settle for a share of the spoils.

Dundalk FC: Tyler-Laughton, Cox, Fanning, Martin, O’Connor, Byrne, Treanor, Clavin, Smyth, Marut, Hanlon.

Subs: McCabe, Dowd, Freeman, Brady, Crowley, Levins, Gibson, Carolan, Toye.

Peamount United: Byrne, Muldoon, Moore, Doyle, Barrett, Thomas, Donnelly, Curtis, Moore, Doyle, Flannery. Photos: Gerry Scully