The League of Ireland Women's Premier Division has gotten off to a brilliant start. The biggest result from Round One came from Tolka Park as Shamrock Rovers secured a smash-and-grab comeback against one of the title favourites Shelbourne. Despite being 1-0 down with just over a quarter of an hour to go, Rovers' goals in the 75th and 95th minute snatched them three points to start the season.
Manager Collie O'Neill was thrilled when describing the victory to Tony O'Donoghue of RTÉ.
"We've got hunger in these kids and then they showed the extra fitness levels and the work-rate that we had, that you had your full back in the 95th minute bombing on like she that to stick it in the bottom corner, it's nice."
"That's why we came back earlier this year. We did an extra two seasons in pre-season just so we could hit the ground running," he said.
"We wanted to give everything for the first game, win the first game, build momentum and see where it takes us."
It's an exciting time for Rovers with news that Ireland international Ruesha Littlejohn is set to join the club. Rachel Graham of Shels spoke told Raf Diallo of the RTÉ Soccer Podcast that the deal is "done" to bring Littlejohn to Rovers, and she welcomed the move
First and foremost, you love to see the league grow, and, obviously, you want your team do the best, but I wouldn't begrudge anyone who's trying to promote the league, or get the league more publicity.
As far as I've heard (the deal) it's done.
Elsewhere in Round One, reigning WPD champions Athlone Town in their first league match under new manager Colin Fortune kickstarted their title defence with 2-0 win against Wexford.
Galway United claimed an emphatic 5-1 victory over DLR Waves. Peamount United were also 2-0 winners over Cork City, and Treaty United defeated Waterford FC by the same scoreline.
Finally, Bohs and Sligo Rovers played out a 0-0 draw at the Showgrounds.
