WNL Focus - Raheny will take some stopping

Alright, it’s still early days in the 2013-14 WNL, but already it looks like we have a clear frontrunner. 

Raheny United’s 3-0 demolition of Peamount United wasn’t just a win against their biggest rivals. For Terry Eviston’s side it was a statement of intent - as if one was needed - that Raheny are league’s dominant force right now.

They remain the WNL’s only unbeaten side and are on course for a second double in two years - given that they are favourites in the WFAI Cup final against Castlebar Celtic.

Now, you might say, ‘where’s the news there, captain state-the-obvious’. Anyone who has seen them play over the last three seasons will know that Raheny are a capable outfit. But to say United are favourites and leave it at that would do them a disservice.

Over the last two seasons they have been through four managers - five if you count John Walsh’s brief stint at the start of this season. To remain a cohesive unit through those managerial changes takes immense strength of character. It may actually have benefited Raheny.

Look at Peamount. Eileen Gleeson has been ever-present as Peas boss during the WNL era, and has, in my opinion, done a terrific job. Peas still can’t be overlooked in the league, and are still the WNL side with the most representatives in the senior national side.

But Raheny’s changing of management has pushed them on to heights that probably wouldn’t have seen possible even a year ago. On the evidence of this season’s two meetings between the sides, Raheny are some distance ahead of Peamount.

From Ger McDermott through to Terry Eviston, the northsiders have had a succession of qualified managers with different styles. At different stages Raheny have favoured a patient short-passing approach or a quick, clinical, more direct game. Now, thanks to their experience of both styles, they look capable to mix it up - a hallmark of the best teams.

Now, this isn’t quite a love letter to the girls in black and white. There is a long, long way to go and you get the feeling that a few sides (not just Peamount, but maybe Galway and Wexford too) might have something to say in the story of the league.

But with the depth in their squad and the quality of their play, you get the feeling that the rest of the league will be playing catch-up to Raheny if no team dramatically ups their game.

The gauntlet has been well and truly laid down.

Player of the Week: Sinead Taylor

Galway WFC’s strong start to life in the WNL has shown that they aren’t just there to make up the numbers, and Taylor is chief among their goal threats. At the weekend she scored a hat-trick in the Galwegians’ emphatic 4-0 win away to Shamrock Rovers. The signs look ominous: Taylor, and Galway, are out for goals.