WNL Shield Preview: Galway WFC -v- Shelbourne Ladies

Galway WFC play host to Shelbourne Ladies in Group B of the Continental Tyres Women’s National League Shield at Eamonn Deacy Park on Saturday afternoon, Kick-off 14:30pm.

GALWAY WFC

Galway began their 2015-16 season last weekend with a victory, when they travelled to Dublin to play St Catherine’s in the First Round of the Continental Tyres Women’s FAI Cup first round.

“It was great for us to get our first competitive game under our belt.” Megan Kelleher told Extratime.ie “We've had plenty challenge games against boys, but you can't beat that hunger that comes when there's a prize up for grabs. The mood in the camp is great, everybody's training hard and playing well and really looking forward to the new season.”

Saturday afternoon the Westerners host opposition from the capital when Shelbourne Ladies travel to Eamonn Deacy Park for their WNL Shield clash, and Kelleher is aware that last season games against Raheny United now Shelbourne Ladies were tough games and  maybe they should have got a result one or twice, but she expects another tough game Saturday despite their merger.

“Games against Raheny were always tough. We competed really well and we feel we probably should have taken more points from them than we did. I don't think the merger will disrupt them at all. They now have a bigger pool of quality players to choose from and so much experience between them. We've added depth to our squad too, so saturday should deliver a great game.”

Despite finishing in sixth place last season, the defender is aware last season was a huge learning curve for her side and despite the loss of their Captain Ruth Fahey to Wexford Youths she believes other girls in the dressing room have stood up to help fill the void left by Fahey.

“Last year was a massive learning curve for us with such a young team. We've learnt an awful lot. We were very competitive throughout, but our inexperience showed at crucial times in games which cost us points. Ruth was a fantastic captain for us and a great leader, but since she's left other players have stepped up and we've had a few new signings which have really strengthened the squad.”

SHELBOURNE LADIES FC

Shelbourne Ladies play their first game since their merger with Raheny United this weekend when they travel to Galway and midfielder Shauna Newman feels that the merger has been a breath of fresh air and the players have a long period of time to forge bonds with the fresh faces.

“With regards to the merge with Raheny and Shelbourne, I feel like we've taken the merge like a breath of fresh air it was a long time coming and we've been in pre-season since the start of July so we've had plenty of time to get to know the players and form a bond with them and I feel like we are ready to go from the start it's been a long pre-season.“

Despite starting the 2015-16 campaign as a new club, Shelbourne have retained the services of the majority of the Raheny United squad that recorded a Cup double - only Clare Shine left in order to join Glasgow City FC.

Last Saturday at Tolka Park, the Shelbourne players were handed a huge boost when Newman and Co watched on as the club’s second side defeated Cork City Women in the first round of the Continental Tyres FAI Cup first round - the midfielder feels that last weeks’ result shows competition for places is immense within the squad.

“The mood in the camp is great,” Newman told Extratime.ie

“We all get along really well on and off the pitch which helps a lot. We've had a great pre-season so we are just itching to go. We've a lot to prove this season, the structure of a second team coming in has definitely put us on our heels, but it's great it keeps everyone at the top of their game. Nobody's safe anymore. We all know we have to perform.

“We can't underestimate any team in the league this year teams are getting stronger and the league's getting better. We know from experience It's always a physical game against Galway down there, but it's the start of a new season so we're not thinking about last season. We are all just raring to go.“

MATCH STATS

Shelbourne’s Katie McCabe scored 21 goals last season and in her most recent outing against the Westerners she scored a hat-trick to ensure Raheny secured a 3-2 victory.

Galway’s top scorer from last season, Ruth Fahey (8 goals) has now left the club for pastures new.