WFAI Cup Semi-final Preview: Shels Ladies -v- Shels U18

In Morton Stadium on Saturday evening, Shelbourne Ladies host Shelbourne U18 in the Semi-final of the Continental Tyres Women’s FAI Cup. Kick-off 7pm.

SHELBOURNE LADIES 

Shelbourne Ladies head into Saturday’s game against the club Intermediate Cup winning side on a rich vein of form, Casey McQuillan’s side began their quest for Women’s National League glory last weekend with an impressive 9-1 victory over Castlebar Celtic and Siobhan Killeen was delighted to see her side deliver a clinical performance against the Mayo outfit.

“It was good to get off to such a positive start last weekend,” she told Extratime.ie.

“For reason unknown in previous seasons with Raheny United, we could never beat teams comfortably even with the majority of possession in certain games, so it was great to go out and deliver such a clinical performance. We never took the foot off the pedal and continuously tried to do the right things, as a team it was disappointing to concede, but there were far more positives than negatives to take from the match.”

After receiving a walkover in the quarter-final, Shelbourne will play their first cup fixture since their merger with Raheny United and Killeen is looking to pick up where she left off having won the previous three cup titles with the Pandas.

“As a whole we are going for our first FAI Cup trophy as Shelbourne, but personally of course I want my fourth in a row. Shelbourne Ladies will no doubt have a lot of success in this cup in the future with such strength constantly coming up through the ages, but I’d love to be a part of the first Shels team to lift it.

“We have a very experienced team when it comes to this competition, but some of our players this season have yet to win one so it would be great to get to lift it again this year. Regardless of whether it is our first or our fourth our determination to win it is no more or no less.”

Despite Shels second team being an intermediate side, Killeen explains her side will show them the respect they deserve after defeating both Cork City Women and Castlebar Celtic impressively in the previous rounds.

“We are all friends, but come Saturday we are opponents and nothing will be different to any other game we have played. They stand in our way of an FAI cup final in the Aviva and vice versa. Of course you have to give them the respect they deserve.

“They beat two national league teams to get to this semi-final so they know they are capable of performing against higher league teams. They have just finished such a strong season with several trophies so they are in great form, there has to be a very positive atmosphere in their dressing room.

“Some of their players already have FAI Cup winners medals, there is many underage internationals and several players have already put their marker down for a place in the National League team so under no circumstance will be underestimating them.”

SHELBOURNE U18

Shelbourne U18 head into Saturday evening’s game in impressive form after recently being crowned Intermediate Cup champions after defeating St Catherine’s 6-0 in the final. Derek Carroll’s side in recent weeks also tasted success in the DWSL Premier League Cup Final after defeating TEK United on both occasions.

“We are in a rich vein of form at the moment,” Aisling Dunbar told Extratime.ie.

“Coming into this game on the back of that fills us with confidence. However, the step up has given us the opportunity to really test ourselves. Some of our girls have international caps at underage level so they are used to stepping up their game.”

With Saturday’s game being against the club's first team, Dunbar is aware that it may give the Women’s National League management a chance to evaluate some players, but her main focus is the opportunity of playing in the Aviva Stadium if they can defeat a third WNL side on Saturday evening.

“Knocking them out might impress them alright,” she joked when asked if the game was a chance to impress Casey McQuillan and his backroom staff.

“Seriously though, we went through pre-season together so the WNL management is aware of the potential within the squad as they have called up several players already. For the rest of us were focused on this game and our own chances of getting to the Aviva.

“We are relishing the challenge. Our dressing room has been very calm ahead of our previous games tinged with a little apprehension. The girls are a fantastic bunch, they don't get ahead of themselves and are enjoying the challenges. Saturday night will be our toughest yet though.”

When asked what the overriding emotion was when the clubs were paired together, the defender revealed, while she is excited for the game she had hoped the side may meet in the final, but she is also happy that Shelbourne will be represented in the Aviva Stadium on November 8th.

“The main feeling is excitement. However, it is a double edged sword. We as a Club would have loved to have met in the Aviva - on the other hand, this games ensures the red of Shelbourne will be there one way or another which is fantastic for the Club and for the underage sides who are coming up behind us. Getting this far for the Under 18s can show the underage section what can be achieved.”

MATCH STATS

Shelbourne u18’s have defeated two Women’s National League sides to reach Saturday’s Semi-final, Cork City Women 3-2 in round one and Castlebar Celtic 4-0 in the Quarter-final.

Katie McCabe scored 21 league goals last season and the Ireland International opened her new campaign with a hat-trick last weekend against Castlebar Celtic.