WNL Preview: Peamount United -v- Raheny United

Peamount United -v- Raheny United, Greenogue, 19/04/15

Kick-Off:14:00

Match Referee: Vikki Finley

Peamount United

The Peas head into Sunday’s fixtures on the back of two big wins, in their last outing a well-deserved victory over league champions Wexford Youths in Ferrycarrig Park thanks a Laura Traynor goal.

The host also secured an impressive victory in their last game at Greenogue, slotting seven goals past Cork City Women. Peamount boss Robbie Mulligan will be hoping that his side can continue their run of strong form against the pandas and secure all three points.

Peamount’s clash with Raheny will be the first of two fixtures between the sides play within seven days, as the teams meet again in the Continental Tyres Women’s National League cup final.

Extratime.ie spoke to Rachel Doyle about the mood inside the Peamount camp and their expectations for Sunday’s game.

“The mood is great in our camp, we have a great team spirit that has been growing all season. The win away to Wexford has just added to our self-belief as we go into the Raheny game. On Sunday we expect the same as every game to put in a good performance and get three points.”

Doyle also explained to Extratime.ie that while focus is on Sunday’s game the players are aware if they fail to perform they may not be in the side for the cup final.

“We are focusing on one game at a time as we have all season, we know we have back to back games against Raheny and the cup final will be on everyone's mind as we are all fighting to get into the starting line up for that game. So this Sunday is our last chance to put our best foot forward to stake a claim to start, something we are all conscious of.”

Raheny United

The Pandas returned to winning ways after suffering three defeats in a row thanks to a Katie McCabe hat trick in a hard fought win over Galway WFC in Morton Stadium.

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Extratime.ie spoke to Raheny defender Pearl Slattery about the importance of returning to winning ways after the 3-2 victory against Galway and how that impacted the mood within the camp.

“The Galway game was a tough game and a tough win it always is against them. We expect nothing easy in any league game anymore. Obviously very disappointed to lose 3 straight league games in a row. We weren't used to that. But the league is constantly improving, the players and the level of coaching.

“The mood in the camp was not really different it was strange losing so many so quickly but we tried to continue as normal taking each game at a time.”

Casey McQuillan’s side will be aiming to ensure they deliver a performance and collect all three points to keep the pressure on UCD Waves, Slattery also explained to Extratime.ie that focus is this Sunday’s league fixture and not the cup final seven days later.

“Sunday is like any other normal league game were going out trying to win it and get the three points. We want to finish as high as we can now even though the league is gone, then after Sunday we will concentrate on the cup final.

“I expect the same from Peamount as normal also I'd say they want to finish with as many points as they can, I don't think what happens this weekend matters when it comes to next week. As anything can happen on cup final day, so we won't take much from this Sunday. Three points are important for us on Sunday regardless of the final.”

Raheny may have surrendered their league title to a deserving Wexford Youths but Slattery explained to Extratime.ie players are determined to work hard to ensure they regain their grip on the trophy.

“I think losing the league could be the best thing that will happen us, disappointed to lose the title but Wexford deserved it, we'll let them enjoy it for now. Next year we will be back even hungrier than ever, we know what it's like to lose it now and I can guarantee we all don't want that again.

“It only makes the league more exciting for next year. We know there's quality competition there so we need to keep improving also, with a good pre-season and plenty of hard work I know we will be back better than ever!”

Match Stats

The sides have clashed on two occasions this season, Raheny recording a 4-1 victory in Greenogue.

The sides could not be separated in their most recent meeting, 0-0 draw in Morton Stadium last January.