Bus Éireann FAI Women’s National League series four previews
REFRESHED from a weekend of onlooking, defending WNL champions Peamount United return to action with a home tie against DLR Waves and an opportunity to join Raheny United on nine points at the top on Sunday afternoon.
Raheny won their third match in as many outings last Sunday displaying character to win 3-2 at Tallaght Stadium but Peamount should have too much quality for Larry Mahony’s newcomers at Greenogue and move level on points with their Dublin rivals.
Meanwhile, at Celtic Park in Castlebar, Cork Women’s FC will be seeking a redemption of sorts following their 4-0 loss to Wexford Youths Women’s AFC at Turner’s Cross previously when they tackle a Castlebar Celtic unit looking for back-to-back victories. Johnny Morris-Burke’s side engineered a 3-1 victory over DLR Waves last Sunday at Jackson Park.
Elsewhere, Wexford entertain Shamrock Rovers.
Peamount United v DLR Waves.
2pm, Greenogue, Dublin.
SPORT is, of course, far from being an exact science but to put into perspective the challenge DLR Waves face when they make the trip to Greenogue tomorrow we can use a formline through Castlebar as a guide.
In the second series of games this term Peamount defeated Castlebar 2-0 in Celtic Park and most recently the westerners overcame DLR Waves 3-1 away.
Peamount, a side that scored 66 league goals last term – 27 more than second highest scorers Raheny – and that have already posted another six on the board from their opening two matches, rightly ripped out the page in the dictionary with the word ‘sentiment’ on it a long time ago.
They are renowned for crushing inferior opponents and when you take into consideration the base Larry Mahony’s side are coming from – they are the newest club in the WNL – DLR Waves could be in for a long afternoon in the capital.
In Sylvia Gee they possess a natural leader and the experienced campaigner has scored their two goals in the three matches they played but DLR Waves need everybody on song if they are to avoid a chastening loss.
Castlebar Celtic v Cork Women’s FC.
2pm, Celtic Park, Castlebar, Mayo
CORK gained seven points from their three matches last season against Castlebar and the Leesiders are hoping to enhance that record.
Cork drew 2-2 at CIT, won 4-1 away and also defeated the westerners in their third tussle 2-1, again at CIT, last term and following a heavy defeat to Wexford when the Slaneysiders left Leeside with maximum points winning 4-0 Cork need a positive result to steady themselves.
However, they will have to do so without Sarah O’Donovan due to work commitments, captain Emma Farmer and Valerie Mulcahy who will both be involved with Cork in the All-Ireland Ladies’ Football final at Croker. Castlebar lost their first WNL match this season to Peamount 2-0 with Stephanie Roche and Sara Lawlor ensuring Johnny Morris-Burke’s side travelled to Jackson Park last Sunday seeking their first points of the new term against DLR Waves.
However, the westerners achieved their objective in the east — goals from Katie Walsh, Emma Mullin and Emma Hansberry securing a 3-1 victory – and they will be hopeful of adding to their points tally when Cork make their way to Celtic Park.
And they might just win too.
Wexford Youths Women’s AFC v Shamrock Rovers
2pm, Ferrycarrig Park, Wexford
WEXFORD finished 15 points superior in the standings to Shamrock Rovers last term and are currently six points better off than their Dublin counterparts but tomorrow’s meeting of the two sides at Ferrycarrig Park could produce a thrilling contest.
Only Raheny’s ferocious determination denied Rovers a victory in their match last Sunday at Tallaght Stadium. John Walsh’s Dubliners led twice but eventually lost 3-2 and if Rovers can carry that level of performance into this encounter Wexford will have to earn a positive result if they are to get one, nothing will come easy to them. In-form Orlagh Nolan, scorer of Rovers’ two goals last Sunday, will need to be watched closely by Wexford too however, John Flood’s unit are chasing a third win in a row.
In victories over DLR Waves and Cork Wexford have scored seven goals without reply including Rianna Jarrett’s hat-trick in the latter tussle.
Striker Jarrett’s positional sense and awareness was crucial on Leeside and if attacking partner Cherelle Khassal is available again the Rovers’ defence will need to be on top form. This could be high scoring but Wexford can shade it.