WNL Focus: Hoops spring eternal

For two years, the WNL has been a real struggle for Shamrock Rovers. Bottom of the table in 2012 (with one win) and again last year (with two wins), they have had very few highs in their time at the top table of Irish women’s football. But, in yesterday’s 6-1 win over Cork WFC, Rovers have a real chance to cross the Rubicon and make sure that their abysmal last two seasons are behind them.

Ambitions for the Hoops need to remain realistic. They are unlikely to win the league any time soon. This season, finishing anywhere above rock bottom - particularly after their poor start to this season - would be a significant achievement for Rovers. But in the medium- to long-term, the Tallaght club should be able to be field stronger WNL sides.

One of the key things for the management should be looking at halting the flow of players out of the club. While it’s always going to be hard to stop players of the calibre of Noelle Murray seeking success with clubs more likely to be challenging for trophies, making sure these players are used correctly would go some way to making sure they are happy in Tallaght.

The relative strength of the Shamrock Rovers ‘brand’ in Irish football and their location in Dublin - convenient for any college-going players - mean that Rovers should be able to attract capable young players. Getting the most out of those players is the critical issue for the Hoops, given that several players who have left in the last few seasons have performed considerably better at their new clubs.

There’s no quick-fix, though, and no precedent for Rovers to follow. They still face a long, hard road to becoming a truly competitive WNL club. Expectations for Shamrock Rovers - no matter what age group or whether it’s men’s or women’s football - are always sky-high. Those expectations are often heavy on player’s shoulders. But because they are effectively coming from rock bottom, the WNL side shouldn’t feel that pressure.

It’s always darkest before the dawn, the maxim goes. For Rovers, it’s just a question of whether this dawn is a false one or not.

Player of the Week: Stephanie Roche

If Peamount are to get back on track, they need their big players - like Roche - to start firing again. Their confident team performance in a 6-1 win over Wexford Youths should restore some confidence around Greenogue. Roche’s two goals in that match are the clearest sign yet that she is close to rediscovering the form that saw her win the Golden Boot in 2011.