WNL Focus: Castlebar defying expectations

With the arrival of Galway WFC into the WNL this season, there was a danger that Castlebar Celtic could be eclipsed. Another team out west threatened to suck up attention, players and fans. But quietly, Adrian Carberry’s side went about their preparations for the season - and so far they have shown real promise.

A 2-0 loss away to Peamount in the second week of the league looks a lot better when you put it in context. Peas demolished DLR 5-1 this week and Rovers 3-0 the week before, and they have a history of big scorelines against Castlebar. Celtic’s 4-2 home win against Shamrock Rovers last Sunday, coupled with their 2-1 win over Cork on the opening day, shows that the Mayo club have real mettle.

Being able come back from Rovers equalising at 1-1, and seeing the game out when it went to 3-2, is further evidence of a newfound belief in this Celtic squad. In the past two seasons, Castlebar have occasionally come up with terrific results (think of the 5-5 draw in Morton Stadium in 2011, followed swiftly by a 2-1 home win over Raheny in Castlebar). But they have never maintained the consistency required to finish higher up the table.

This season, despite not being tipped by many in pre-season (including this writer), Celtic look more capable of maintaining their good form. Their high-quality players like Emma Hansberry and Emma Mullin - who could play in any team in the league - have been joined by talented young local players. Although they did lose a number of players to Galway (who also look like a solid team), Celtic look like a stronger outfit so far this season than in 2012.

There’s a very long way to go in the season, and still not many would predict that Castlebar could break the Raheny-Peamount stranglehold on the WNL, but there are certainly grounds for optimism in Mayo. A top three finish would be seen as a successful season for Adrian Carberry’s team, particularly given how young their squad is.

Player of the Week: Sara Lawlor

One of the league’s leading sharpshooters reminded everyone how clinical she can be at the weekend. Her four goals before half time in a windy Jackson Park will have impressed Ireland manager Sue Ronan - who will be hoping that Lawlor can replicate her form next week on the international stage against Slovakia. Lawlor is the spearhead in a Peamount attack that could fire them to glory, with the creative talents of Julie-Ann Russell and Aine O’Gorman cementing Peas’ status as a WNL superpower.