De Burca optimistic about upcoming WNL season

On Saturday afternoon after all the media events had concluded for the Women’s National League launch, Galway WFC’s Meabh De Burca participated in an exhibition game between the 2014-15 Team of the Year and a National XI. After the game De Burca spoke to Extratime.ie about getting back on the pitch and the season ahead.

“It was a good game today [Saturday], we just played an hour it was nice to get a bit of game time, I think everyone enjoyed it - all played in good spirits. Being back pre-season with Galway it’s been long enough now, so we’re raring to go and we have St. Catherines next week in the Cup and then the Shield starts soon after that.”

With limited opportunities for friendlies against strong ladies opposition available, De Burca is delighted to be entering the WFAI Cup at the first round stage as it gives her side an opportunity to get some game time against a good female opposition.

“Yeah, definitely,” she said when asked if she was happy to have the extra cup game. “We’ve been playing boys teams, we found that useful all through the pre-season we haven’t played any women’s teams - we’ve been concentrating on playing some under 16s boys teams.

“From what we’ve heard Catherines are a really good side so we are not going to take them lightly and I think it will be a really tough game. It’s definitely one that we are looking forward to and hopefully we get off to a winning ways.”

Galway begin what is expected to be the best Women’s National League to date when they host newly formed Shelbourne Ladies FC at Eamonn Deacy Park in the WNL Shield and De Burca is excited for the season ahead after seen the work Continental Tyres put into the launch.

“I think this year is shaping up to be probably the best ever, Continental had a great display here today at the launch and it's been really positive for the women’s game going forward. Shelbourne although their new I suppose on paper, we know a lot of the players so it’s going to be a really tough one. No game is going to be easy this year, so we will have to take it one game at a time. Last year was tough for us so we will be hoping to improve on last year’s [league] position.”

Days before the Women’s National League launch took place, Galway WFC was handed a huge boost with the news that Lough Rea Spa & Resort had agreed a three year sponsorship with the Westerners, while Papa John’s Pizza have also come on board as platinum partners and De Burca was delighted to see the two sponsors commit to her side as it removes a huge weight from the club.

“It's great for the club to be heading into the new season on the back of some exciting news after the announcement that Lough Rea have come on board as main sponsor and Papa John’s as platinum partners. Sponsorship is key to any club and to have these two come on board is great for Galway WFC."

The start of the new season also brings fresh hope for Ireland as the Women’s National team prepare for the European Championship qualifiers which begin with a home clash against Finland at Tallaght Stadium on September 21st and De Burca sees Ireland’s qualifying group as their best opportunity to qualify for a major competition.

“It’s a massive opportunity, when we got the draw I think everybody was as happy as could be - other years we would have been facing the likes of France and Germany as top seeds so this year with Spain I think they’re definitely more beatable than the other teams. We’re obviously not taking them lightly, but Portugal are fourth seeds and we could have got an easier run of it there. We’ll be looking to hopefully qualify for [Holland] 2017.”

After collecting their highest points tally in qualification in the previous campaign, the Galway star is hoping that with the addition of some of the country's brightest young stars they can continue to develop and push on to the next level.

“We saw there last week [at the two day training camp] there is loads of players, nobody’s position is sure, everyone's under pressure and that's the way it should be. We all the best team there and best squad so we’ll all work towards that together.”