WNL Season Preview: Shelbourne Ladies

Manager: Casey McQuillan

Stadium: Morton Stadium

Players in: Sinead Taylor (Peamount United), Grace Murray (Newry City)

Players out (Raheny): Clare Shine (Glasgow), Clare Conlon (Wexford Youths)

Extratime.ie Key player:Katie McCabe

McCabe was a key member of the Raheny side which recorded a cup double, her free-kick in the Women’s FAI Cup final was showed her prowess from a dead ball. The forward who scored twenty-one league goals last season, saw her performances in the Women’s National League rewarded when she received her first international call-up last January.

Despite interest from abroad for services, McCabe’s decision to remain at the North Dublin club could prove to be pivotal in the races for the 2015-16 WNL title, as she has the ability to create goal scoring opportunities from nothing.

Extratime.ie One to watch: Jamie Finn

The former Ireland under 17’s captain and current under 19’s star made the step up to the Women’s National League in the second-half of last season after joining Raheny United during the winter and despite stepping up from intermediate football Finn showed she was capable of competing with some of the country's best stars.

The Midfielder who can also play in Defence has shown that she has the ability to be a future Ireland international with her performances for both club and country, her commitment and ability on the ball has also shown despite being just seventeen years of age she has an excellent football brain.

How they did last season:

League:  Third pace (Raheny United)

Women’s FAI Cup: Champions (Raheny United)

League Cup: Champions (Raheny United)

What to expect this season:

After the summer’s merger between Shels and Raheny, Casey McQuillan’s side will be aiming to regain the Women’s National League title Raheny relinquished last season. The return to fitness of Rachel Graham will be key to Shels as the central midfielder was forced to sit out the second-half of the 2014-15 season.

With both Clare Shine and Clare Conlon moving on to pastures new, McQuillan has moved quickly to add some reinforcements and the addition of Grace Murray and Sinead Taylor along with the continued development of young international players such as Jamie Finn, Sophie Watters, Keeva Keenan and Dearbhaile Beirne will be key to Shels title challenge.

First game: Castlebar Celtic (A) 10/10/15