WNL Shield Preview: Galway WFC -v- Peamount United

Women’s National League Shield Group B

Galway WFC -v- Peamount United

Eamonn Deacy Park

Saturday October 3rd, Kick-off: 7pm

Galway WFC

Galway welcome Peamount to Eamon Deacy Park for the WNL Shield clash with the aims of exacting revenge after Don O’Riordan’s side let a one goal lead slip, before losing by two goals to one when last Sunday when the sides met in the Continental Tyres Women’s FAI Cup quarter-finals.

“Last week was very hard to take,” Keara Cormican told Extratime.ie.

“We were ahead for the majority of the match and to concede two goals in the last ten minutes was heart breaking. After having a very good start to the season prior to the Peamount match we really believed we could carry this form into the Peamount match, but we just didn't finish the job.”

With this weekend’s clash coming so soon after the side’s cup meeting, Cormican feels despite the result being fresh in their mind they must look past the cup exit and she feels home advantage could be a pivotal factor in her side recording a second Shield victory in three games.

“In one way we are very lucky to be playing the same this weekend so that we can prove to everyone that last weekend was a blip along on our journey to a successful season. The result will be in the back of our heads, we will be thinking about last weekend and the heartbreak it caused. However, we must leave the past in the past and focus on the future and the remaining competitions we can succeed in.

“I think being at home will be important to us this weekend - we will hopefully have more support at home and we also won't have the familiar trip up to Dublin ahead of us either.”

As qualification for the Shield final is all to play for this weekend, with both Galway and Shelbourne in contention for top spot in Group B the defender said her side will be conscious of what is happening in Dublin between Shelbourne and Castlebar Celtic, but she is also aware her side must perform at their best if they are to have an impact on the final standings.

“We will be conscious of the other match, but at the end of the day there is nothing we can do to effect that result. The only way we can affect the group is by giving a huge performance against Peamount and coming out the better side on Saturday.”

Peamount United

Peamount, head into Saturday’s game on the back of their victory over their hosts from the FAI Cup at Greenogue, Christy Lougheed bounced back from a 5-1 defeat just four days earlier against Shelbourne Ladies when knocking the Westerners out of the cup.

Margaret Doyle, the Peas vice-captain feels it was important for her side to have an opportunity to rectify their performance in Morton Stadium.

“It was good for us to have a game straight after the Shels game because it really got us focussed on what we had to work on.” She told Extratime.ie “Although the Shels game was very tough for us, we still took positives from the game and we knew Galway were going to be tough opposition to play and it helped us get ready for them.”

A late brace from Amber Barrett sent the Dublin side into the semi-final draw and Doyle feels while it was another tough game for her side, some of the younger players stepped up last weekend and the squad is benefitting from the managements never give up attitude.

“It was a very tough game both sides really wanted it, we have formed a great bond as a team and have worked really hard together in pre-season. We have a lot of really talented young players in our squad who are really stepping up to the challenge of playing in the national league. The coaching staff has really instilled in us the never give up attitude and we showed that on Sunday.”

With this weekend being the second of three clashes in as many weeks between the sides, the centre-back is expecting another tough game against a Galway side who will be keen to bounce back in front of their home fans.

“It is always very hard to go down to Eamon Deacy Park and play Galway they are a strong team and they will be looking to get one back on us after last weekend, especially in their home ground. We as a team are ready for another tough game against them.”

Match Stats

Lynsey McKey has scored six goals in last three starts for the hosts, bagging four goals away to Castlebar Celtic. Aoife Mooney is Peamount’s top scorer this season with three goals - all three coming in their 4-2 victory over Castlebar in her side's first game of the season.

In the side’s league meetings last season, Peamount defeated Galway twice in Eamonn Deacy Park 2-1 and 3-1, with the meeting at Greenogue finishing 2-2.