Bohemians and Shelbourne played out an enthralling 1-1 draw at a balmy Dalymount Park as a boisterous crowd, including Ireland boss Eileen Geeson, watched on intently.
It was yet another physical Dublin derby for the title chasing Reds who took the lead through a well-finished Kate Mooney header, only for Bohs to come roaring back in the second half equalising through Alannah McEvoy's penalty.
Shels boss Eoin Wearan made three changes to the side that battled heroically for 120 minutes on Monday night to progress to the FAI Cup semi-final away at Shamrock Rovers.
Two of the enforced changes, both Alex Kavanagh and Roma McLoughlin out through injury, looked to have a major impact on how the visitors would normally like to dictate play but with just 10-minutes on the clock it was Shels who went agonisingly close to opening the scoring.
Ireland International Eadbha O'Mahony delivered a delicious inswinging ball to the back post finding her skipper Pearl Slattery at the back post who, on the stretch, prodded the ball goalwards, and through a combination of Sarah McKevitt and Katie Malone, Bohs eventually managed to scramble the ball to safety.
The hosts had been in good form before kick off, winning four of their last five in the league, and looking for their first league win over Shels, began to edge the midfield battle. Sarah Power’s thunderous effort narrowly missed the target
But it was the Reds who took the lead with a half hour played when another set piece caused all sorts of confusion. Slattery again showed her ariel prowess to win the initial header, guiding it into the path of Kate Mooney who nodded home for her first goal since returning to Dublin from Scottish side Hearts.
The home side went straight down the other end and, through a set piece of their own, really should have levelled as Lisa Murphy headed down off the outside of the post from close range.
Bohs came flying out of the traps in the second half and got themselves back on equal footing when Noelle Murray looked to have grabbed the arm of Sarah Power as she burst into the box. Referee Mark Moynihan had no hesitation pointing to the spot. Bohs number nine McEvoy grabbed the ball in commanding fashion and sent Amanda McQuillan the wrong way to make it 1-1.
Bohs almost took the lead minutes later when McEvoy hit a thunderbolt that McQuillan spilled initially, but to her credit showed great reactions to bravely block Aoibhe Fleming on the follow up.
The game began to open up as both chased three points, with Shels attacking quality coming the fore as the half wore on. Murray looked to make amends for her penalty concession by hitting a rasping strike from 25-yards that crashed off the post before O’Mahony raced down the left and hit a near post effort which was turned around the post by Bohs captain Rachael Kelly.
Again, Bohs responded brilliantly to what Shels threw at them and went close with efforts from distance themselves with the classy Aoibhe Fleming going closest of the two
Galway kept the pressure on the leaders after a 2-1 Connacht derby win over Sligo Rovers.
The hosts took the lead after 18 minutes as Canadian striker Amanda Smith finished from a rebound after Amber Hardy had saved brilliantly from Emma Doherty seconds after cheaply conceding possession.
Rovers were level by the break though as Paula McGrory finished from the penalty spot after Keri Loughrey was fouled by Isabella Beletic.
Galway started the second half with vigour and they grabbed what would prove to be the winner in the 53rd minute as Amy Madden's lofted pass released Doherty and she finished low to the net.
Shamrock Rovers claimed bragging rights over Peamount United after a 1-0 win.
Joy Ralph was the Rovers hero as she squeezed a left-wing cross past Niamh Reid-Burke midway through the first half for the only goal of the game.
Wexford moved into fourth place with a 1-0 victory over DLR Waves, with Ellen Molloy bagging the winner five minutes into the second half.
And Treaty United leap-frogged opponents Cork City as the Limerick side enjoyed a 3-0 victory thanks to goals from Caleigh Boeckx, Danielle Steer and Katie Lawlee.
Bohemian FC: Rachael Kelly, Lisa Murphy, Tiegan Ruddy, Fiona Donnelly, Aoibhe Brennan, Sarah McKevitt (Antea Guvo, 70’), Alannah McEvoy, Katie Malone, Sarah Power, Katie Lovely, Aoibhe Fleming (Leah Riley, 85’)
Shelbourne: Amanda McQuilan, Keeva Keenan, Pearl Slattery, Rachel Graham (Mia Dodd, 85’), Noelle Murray. Hannah Healy (Megan Smyth-Lynch, 69’), Jess Gargan, Eadbha O’Mahony (Rebecca Devereux, 85’), Lucy O’Rourke ((Christie Gray, 69’), Maggie Pierce, Kate Mooney (Jemma Quinn, 85’)
Referee: Mark Moynihan
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