THE FIFTH SERIES of games in the Bus Éireann FAI Women’s National League will be played this weekend with all eyes fixated on Morton Stadium in Dublin tonight as current leaders and defending champions Peamount United visit recently crowned FAI Umbro Women’s Senior Challenge Cup winners Raheny United.
The rivalry developing between the two is becoming more and more fascinating and the latest chapter promises to be as electric as ever.
Tomorrow afternoon, Shamrock Rovers welcome DLR Waves to Tallaght Stadium and Wexford host Castlebar at Ferrycarrig Park.
Raheny United v Peamount United
Tonight, kick-off 7.30pm, Morton Stadium, Dublin.
THE first of three potentially explosive league encounters between the Dublin rivals could shape the entire season and factoring in Raheny’s head-to-head record against Peamount it is difficult to discount a possible home triumph.
Peamount, on paper at least, seemingly have the slightly better individuals overall however Raheny, as a unit, perform excellently when pitted against Eileen Gleeson’s team.
They have both played three matches in the section this season to date each and both have maximum points but Ger McDermott and co will have been further boosted psychologically by their recent national cup success at Dalymount Park when they beat Peas 2-1 and might shade this, too.
Gleeson has an embarrassment of attacking riches at her disposal including WNL Player of the Month Sara Lawlor however they have come up short against Raheny before and could do again.
Shamrock Rovers v DLR Waves
Sunday, kick-off 2pm, Tallaght Stadium, Dublin.
BEFORE the underage international break, Shamrock Rovers left Ferrycarrig Park with a valuable point, their first of the campaign, and the Dubliners can add to their tally tomorrow when they host fellow strugglers DLR Waves.
John Walsh’s Rovers produced a number of improved performances in their recent outings and this represents a wonderful opportunity for them to earn their first victory of the season.
Unfortunately for Larry Mahony’s Waves, life in the WNL has not been kind thus far with four defeats in four matches.
Added to that, Waves have conceded 17 goals, an average of 4.25 goals per game and unless they shore up their defence Mahony’s charges’ fortunes will remain as negative as they have been already.
Walsh will have targeted this encounter as a potential three points for Rovers and with home advantage they should win.
Wexford Youths Women’s AFC v Castlebar Celtic FC
Sunday, kick-off 2pm, Ferrycarrig Park, Wexford.
IT will be interesting to see whether or not the aforementioned siesta will have impacted on the momentum Wexford were building before it or not as the Slaneysiders prepare to face Castlebar, also tomorrow.
Wexford were a form team pre-break taking seven points from their three most recent encounters including a 3-0 home win versus DLR Waves, a 4-0 away win against Cork Women’s FC, the designated ‘free’ team this weekend, and a 1-1 home draw with Shamrock Rovers.
Similarly, Castlebar travel east on the back of consecutive wins – the westerners defeated Waves away (3-1) and Cork at home (4-3) – meaning this has the potential to be a classic and possibly high scoring, too.
There has been 27 goals scored in the seven matches involving these two outfits and so this could be an entertaining draw.
