Shelbourne secure European football for next season despite late Galway United fightback

Galway United 2

Shelbourne 2

Darryl Geraghty reports from Eamonn Deacy Park

SHELBOURNE SECURED EUROPEAN football for the 2027 season despite letting a two-goal lead slip in a dramatic draw out west, bringing the curtain down on yet another enthralling Women’s Premier Division season.

First-half goals from Alex Kavanagh and Isabella Flocchini had the All-Island and FAI Cup winners in cruise control but two injury-time goals from Emma Doherty and Lucy Jayne Grant saw Galway rescue a point. It proved too little too late for the hosts, however, as Shels’ better goal difference saw them creep over the line.

So it all came down to this, a straight shootout for the much-coveted second place. If a week-long wait of nerves and anticipation wasn’t bad enough, an extra day’s delay due to the stormy conditions only whetted the appetite further.

A draw would have been enough for the visitors prior to kick-off, but with their hostile hosts itching for revenge for the All-Island Cup defeat at Tolka Park, the double winners knew they couldn’t rest on their laurels.

At a blustery Eamonn Deacy Park, it was Phil Trill’s who looked to draw first blood, causing an almighty goalmouth scramble that saw both Isabella Beletic and Abbie Callanan have shots blocked the Reds.

Advertisement

The visitors began to get a foothold and enjoyed large spells of possession but they were met by the physical box midfield of the home side as Amanda McQuillan remained untested early on.

That was until 20 minutes in, when Shels stepped up a gear. Becky Watkins, who scored an outstanding and crucial equaliser at home to champions Athlone last week, found a yard of space in the crowded middle third and unleashed a thunderous 30-yard strike that was acrobatically tipped over by former Shels stopper McQuillan.

Ten minutes later, the classy Alex Kavanagh, brimming with confidence from her PFA Ireland Player of the year nomination, broke the deadlock in typical fashion.

Standing over a free-kick from 25 yards, slightly left of the area, the Finglas native unleashed an unstoppable strike into the top corner to give her side a crucial lead.

With the wind at their backs, and in their sails, Shels added a second just before the break. Keeva Keenan’s long throw was not dealt with initially, and as the ball came across the edge of the box, it was met by Flocchini who smashed home, low into the bottom corner. It was Flocchini’s sixth of the season, despite arriving midway through the campaign. Shels fans, meanwhile, began looking to make sure their passports were in date for next year.

But having regrouped at the break, The Galwegians came out fighting to save their season in the second half, as expected.

Just after the hour mark, they were left wondering how the deficit wasn’t halved when hotshot Emma Doherty found herself with the freedom of the area from a free-kick out left, but shot straight at Mya Sanchez who stood up big.

Belief was swirling in the ground as Ava Mullins then stung the palms of Sanchez with a free-kick in a similar position to Kavanagh, and Doherty volleyed into the side netting from a tight angle.

And as the clock ticked over into added time, Galway got the goal their second-half exertions deserved when Keeva Keenan was harshly adjudged to have blocked substitute Aoibheann Donnelly’s close-range shot with her hand.

Doherty made amends for the earlier miss coolly slotting the ball home from 12 yards. Then, following a long and hopeful ball into the box in the 96th minute, Grant popped up with a well-taken volley to make it all square. But unfortunately for her side and the home fans who braved the conditions, it turned out to be the last kick of the game.

Galway United: Amanda McQuillan; Cara Griffin, Jade Rehberger, Lucy Jayne Grant, Aoibheann Costello; Eve Dossen, Abbie Callanan (Aoibheann Donnelly, 60’), Isabella Beletic, Niamh Farrelly; Ava Mullins, Emma Doherty

Subs not used: Nicole Nix, Niamh Cotter, Aislinn Meaney, Lynsey McKey, Amy Tierney, Anna McGough, Heather Loomes, Grace Gleeson

Shelbourne: Mya Sanchez; Jess Gargan, Keeva Keenan, Pearl Slattery, Leah Doyle; Alex Kavanagh (Kate Mooney, 69’), Aoife Kelly; Rebecca Watkins, Isabella Flocchini, Maeve Wollmer (Katie McCarn, 88’); Halle Harcourt (Maggie Pierce, 69’)

Subs not used: Rachel Graham, Madeleine McKinley, Jenna Willoughby, Brianna Severns, Lara Whelan, Maggie Pierce, Olivia Damico

Referee: Mark Patchel