Continental Tyres Women's National League Preview

This weekend the Women’s National League returns after a three week break due to the Republic of Ireland’s participation in the Istria Cup. On Saturday evening Castlebar Celtic play host to Peamount United, while on Sunday there are two games down for decision Cork City FC vs Galway WFC and Raheny United vs UCD Waves.

Castlebar Celtic Vs Peamount United, Celtic Park 14/03/15 Kick-off: 7:00pm

Match Referee: Martin Reagan

In Celtic Park on Saturday evening sees the battle for 4^th place in the league heat up. Peamount United currently lead Castlebar Celtic by four points with two games in hand.

The previous meetings this season has seen the teams share nine goals in two highly entertaining fixtures. The Peas came out on top 3-2 in the first encounter while the spoils were shared after a 2-2 daw in the most recent fixture.

Castlebar Celtic coach Adrian Carberry must plan without the services of Katie Walsh, Danielle Caudwell and Aoife Herbert while this week’s fixture may come too soon for Jess Nolan.

Peamount Coach Robbie Mulligan has a full squad to select from apart from a long term injury to Anna McCormack.

Castlebar coach Carberry is expecting another tough game on Saturday evening.

“We’ve had some cracking games against Peamount and I’m expecting another one, I’m really looking forward to it as there a tricky side.”

Cork City FC Vs Galway WFC, Bishopstown Stadium 15/03/15 Kick-off: 2:00pm

Match Referee: David Keeler

Sunday afternoon in Bishopstown Stadium sees the bottom two sides clash as Cork City play host to Galway WFC. Both sides will be hoping to pick up the three points and build momentum for their last three games of the season.

In their two previous meetings this season, the sides shared a 2-2 draw in Bishopstown while Galway WFC recorded a 5-0 victory at home. Both sides have not played a competitive game in four and five weeks respectively due to the three week international break, weather disruptions and Galway WFC having a rest week.

Cork City welcome right back Nathalie O’Brien back into the playing squad after recovering from a broken leg, but manager Charlie Lynch has doubts over Angie Carry, Chloe Ahern, Natalie Coughlan and Laura Medbury due to injury/illness and education commitments.

Galway WFC boss Don O’Riodan has his squad extremely focused despite the long break.

“The players are focused even though people said we don’t have much to play for. This is a three year plan and the players know that.”

Cork City manager is fully aware that if they are to get the victory on Sunday they need to stop leaking goals.

“We need to tighten up defensively completely. We are determined to pick up some points over the last four games, and being able to field our best eleven will go some way to achieving this.”

Raheny United Vs UCD Waves, Morton Stadium 15/03/15 Kick-off: 2:00pm

Match Referee: Olivia Sneyd

Sunday afternoon in Morton Stadium sees 2^nd placed UCD Waves travel across the Capital to play 3^rd placed Raheny United in a game that will see any points dropped by either side as a serious dent in their hopes in the race for the 2014/15 Continental Tyres Women’s National League title race while the winner will close the gap to Wexford Youths who do not play this weekend.

Raheny United will be aiming to get back to winning ways after suffering their first league defeat since November 2012 in a 3-0 defeat to leader Wexford Youths. Raheny United manager Casey McQuillan is expecting another cracking game and is looking forward to reintegrating the five international players back into the squad for Sunday.

UCD Waves come into Sunday Dublin Derby in excellent form after recorded two convincing victories at over Cork City and Castlebar Celtic respectfully.

The teams have clashed on two occasions this season, with Raheny being victorious with a 3-1 win in late September while in the second league meeting the sides drew 1-1. Waves coach Eileen Gleeson recalled that she felt her side were the better team in the drawn game but the Pandas experience as a team allowed them to dig out a result.

Both side heading into Sunday game must plan without key members of their squads. Raheny united are without injured duo Rachel Graham and Clare Shine, while Noelle Murray is suspended for Sunday clash. UCD Waves must also plan without ex-Raheny United player Catherine Cronin and long term absentees Michelle Dunne and Katie Ryan.