Finn Harps Women's U19s make a historic point against Shelbourne

Finn Harps picked up a first-ever point in the Women's Under-19 League of Ireland on Sunday.

Finn Harps 1 Shelbourne 1

Aislinn Coll struck for Harps in the 31st minute and they could count themselves unfortunate that it wasn't the winner.

Shelbourne, though, were still deserving of their leveller, scored by Louise Murray in the 58th minute.

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Shels were sparked into life by the half-time introduction of Chloe Ibezim and Harps lived a charmed life for a time.

Coll's goal had them in front and dreaming of a first win at this grade. With a little more composure and experience, they might have done.

A 2-1 away defeat at Peamount marked Harps' debut at this grade a week ago.

The Paddy McDaid-managed Harps includes plenty of newcomers at National League level, but the encouraging signs were plentiful as they fielded in a competitive home game for the first time.

Goalkeeper Orla Corry held onto efforts by Leah Donnelly and Leah Riley early on before Harps warmed to the task.

Coll was introduced early for Aoife Kelly, who had to withdraw when feeling unwell.

Just after the half-hour, Harps took the lead. Siobhan Cameron, Emily Irwin, Ella McKenna and Erin Doherty were all involved in the build-up.

After an initial probe momentarily broke down, McKenna's low strike was steered to the bottom corner by Coll.

Doherty was earlier denied by Katie Keane and the midfielder also floated a free kick not far over the target.

Irwin almost caught Keane out six minutes before the break while athlete-turned-footballer Abbie McGranaghan was off target when she spotted Keane off her line.

Good value for the 1-0 interval lead, Harps were pegged back at the outset of part two with Ibezim adding a new impetus to the Shelbourne attack.

Abbi Griffen drove wide and Ruby Atkinson rolled just to the wrong side of the post.

However, Shelbourne equalised when Murray finished from an excellent Leah Tighe corner.

Harps hit back and could have taken the lead in the 70th minute. Erika Gallagher and McGranaghan carved the opening and, at the far post, sub Rebecca McColgan had sight of the target, but Keane saved.

A dipping effort by Leah Donnelly had Harps hearts in the mouths in the closing stages and at the other end Cameron shot just too high after a Doherty free wasn't fully cleared.

Finn Harps: Orla Corry (Claire Diver 80); Siobhan Cameron, Darcey Kelly, Roseanna McConologue, Katelyn Doherty; Erica Gallagher, Erin Doherty; Emily Irwin (Rebecca McColgan 65), Ella McKenna (Alaina Keogh 80), Abbie McGranaghan (Katelyn Doherty 80); Aoife Kelly (Aislinn Coll 11).

Shelbourne: Katie Keane (Eden Laughton-Tyler 73); Keva Deegan, Jade Flannery (Chloe Ibezim h-t), Leah Riley; Leah Donnelly, Leah Tighe, Louise Murray, Abbi Griffen, Ciara Giles; Emily O'Brien, Ruby Atkinson.

Referee: Liam McLaughlin.