WLOI: Bohs notch first ever league win over Shels

RTÉ News​

4 days ago

Bohemians put a damaging dent in Shelbourne's SSE Airtricity Women's Premier Division title charge with their first ever league victory over the Reds.
Former Shels duo Hannah O'Brien and player of the match Katie McCarn came back to haunt their former club as they both bagged goals in an impressive win, with Jess Gargan temporarily levelling for the home side.
The scorching, sun-soaked Tolka Park played host to a thrilling Dublin derby with a standard worthy of the concomitantly Women's European Championships happening in Switzerland.
The visitors came into the clash in good form, buoyed by a fantastic away win over Wexford in the FAI Cup, followed by a hugely impressive win up north at Glentoran in the All-Island Cup to coincidentally set up a semi final clash against today's hosts.
This self confidence was epitomised by sharp start when, with just a minute played Sarah McKevitt burst through the midfield and played a clever ball in behind to Hannah O'Brien whose goal bound shot from inside the area was well blocked by the recovering Keeva Keenan at the vital moment.
With midfielder Alex Kavanagh carrying a slight knock, Reds boss Eoin Wearan opted for an attacking looking line-up that included the trio of Noelle Murray, Mackenzie Anthony and Kate Mooney and the trio began to have an influence on proceedings with some clever link up play.
With a quarter of an hour played Bohs skipper Rachael Kelly was forced into a top class save from Aoibhean Clancy's volley from the edge of the area, and this proved to be a pivotal stop as Bohs went straight down the other end and took full advantage of some sloppy play at the back.
The tireless Hannah O'Brien pressed Amanda McQuillan and got her just deserts nipping in to rob the experienced stopper, poking into the net.
With chants of "keep it" from both benches to try to manage the conditions, a much needed water break came at the right time for the hosts as minutes after restart it was all square. Mackenzie Anthony's left footed cross was powered home by Jess Gargan via the post.
But the visitors' heads didn't drop and restored the lead through an outstanding finish by Katie McCarn, who cut inside from the left and unleashed an unstoppable right footed effort that flew into the top corner.
Katie McCarn. What a goal 😱🔥 pic.twitter.com/nqUwE0TljH
— LOI Women (@LoiWomen) July 12, 2025
The end-to-end encounter showed no signs of letting up and the Anthony / Mooney axis almost paid dividends on the stroke of half time. Mooney clipped a clever ball over the top, releasing the American who broke the offside trap but was sharply smothered by Kelly who was quick off her line.
The home side flew out of the traps, determined to get back on level terms but their head of steam was brought to an abrupt halt just six minutes after the restart when McCarn was on hand to smash in her second, having collected a deep cross from the right.
Knowing a defeat could prove costly, the hosts went to three at the back and unloaded the bench as frustration grew amongst the 607 strong in attendance. But every wave of Reds attack was met by the assured Roisin McGovern and Lisa Murphy quick to clear anything and everything in their vicinity and if the sturdy duo were breached, Kelly was on hand to sweep up.
Although the hosts huffed and puffed, it was Alban Hysa's young guns that showed true grit and maturity to see themselves over the line.
Shelbourne: Amanda McQuillan: Jess Gargan, Pearl Slattery, Keeva Keenan, Leah Doyle (Megan Smyth-Lynch 70); Rachel Graham (Gabriella Del Pico 58), Aoibheann Clancy, Lucy O'Rourke (Rebecca Devereux 58); Noelle Murray, Mackenzie Anthony, Kate Mooney (Jemma Quinn 70)
Bohemians: Rachael Kelly; Katie Lovely, Lisa Murphy, Roisin McGovern, Emma Gaughran (Leiagh Glennon 56); Fiona Donnelly, Aoibhe Brennan, Hannah Healy, Sarah McKevitt; Katie McCarn (Savannah Kane 72), Hannah O'Brien (Alannah McEvoy 72)