WNL Play-off preview: Shelbourne Ladies -v- Wexford Youths

Shelbourne Ladies and Wexford Youths clash for the third time in 25 days on Sunday afternoon when the sides meet to decide the destination of the 2015-16 Women’s National League crown. After the side’s failed to be separated during the regular season and goal difference not counting the league crown will be decided by a play-off at Tallaght Stadium, where the victors will not only be crowned league champions, but also earn a place in the coveted Uefa Women’s Champions League.

Shelbourne Ladies

Shelbourne Ladies head into Sunday’s game on the back of last weekend’s Women’s National League Cup final success after the Red defeated UCD Waves 3-2 in a hard fought encounter.

“No, not at all,” Rebecca Creagh told Extratime.ie when asked if it will be hard for her side to remain focused after last weekend’s success.

“We hardly really even celebrated to be honest. We had recovery on Monday and trained Tuesday so we were straight back into it. Heads have been down and we're working hard to get the job done. If all goes well Sunday, focus will be gone out the window for a little while no doubt!”

Despite suffering defeat to Wexford in both the WFAI Cup final and the Shield final, Shels secured the play-off thanks to a final day victory against Wexford at Tolka Park and the midfielder believes that her side have risen to the occasion despite many people writing them off after a defeat to Galway WFC in March.

“A lot wrote us off after a few results in the past but we knew if we kept the heads down and worked hard the results would come. We have been in this position before, we have tons of experience in the squad and it’s stood to us. We're all about focusing on what we're doing and not when every other team are doing, and it's stood to us.”

With Shelbourne head to the clash on the back of two victories in the side’s last two meetings, Creagh believes her side can take confidence from the previous games, but she is also expecting a tough battle if her side is to be victorious.

“Same as always,” She said when asked what you expect from Youths on Sunday.

“Well organised, hardworking, physical and determined. We know they have some good players and can score goals, but were preparing well as always and will be ready to go come 3pm Sunday.

“Were not expecting it to be like the previous games, we won't be any way complacent going into the game. At the end of the day it may as well be a cup final and everyone knows anything can happen on cup final day. We will take confidence from the past games but we won't rely on them.”

Kick-off at Tallaght Stadium is 3pm and admission is free.

Wexford Youths

After seeing the title slip from the grasp of their hands after taking only four points from their final three games, Wexford must now refocus as they look to secure a second league crown in consecutive seasons and forward Claire O’Riordan believes motivation won’t be an issue for her side on Sunday.  

“The self-motivation players have for the play-off is quality” she told Extratime.ie when asked if it would be hard to motivate each other after the recent run of form.

“Together as a team its exceptional, it is not hard to motivate each other because the desire from each player to want to get back onto the pitch and compete in what should be an expedition of football is point proving itself. “

After playing six of their last seven games on the road of over a 21 day period on the road, the Youths forward believes the 11 day break since her sides 3-1 defeat to Shelbourne has come at a perfect time for her side.

“The ten day break that we have been longing for should stand to us considerably. Not only did this break give players a chance to mentally and physically recover it is also allowing us to prepare adequately and train for the playoff game which previously we were unable to do because of fixtures being so close.”

Despite picking up two trophies this season, the forward who scored 16 league goals in 12 games believes that the fans of Wexford Youths are yet to see their team reach their full potential with O’Riordan hoping on Sunday they can produce a complete performance against a Shels side she expect the Reds to come out of the traps quickly. 

“Shelbourne are being given a chance to win the WNL and no doubt they'll want it and champions league football. I am expecting Shelbourne to come out all guns blazing. I do think they have shown what they are made of, but I do not think the Youths have hit 100% all season (11 months), we've performed in patches which has gotten us to this point. I hope we are able to finally showcase our full potential and ability on Sunday.”

Match Stats

Both sides had three players each nominated in the recent Women’s National League Team of the Year, Shelbourne’s Amanda McQuillan, Keeva Keenan and Siobhan Killeen while for Youths Ruth Fahy, Emma Hansberry and Claire O’Riordan were all selected.

In the side’s five meetings this season, there has only been one clean sheet when Wexford defeated Shels 1-0 in the Shield final. In those five clashes, Shelbourne has scored 12 goals compared to Wexford’s nine goals.

During the five encounters this season there has been 14 different scorers with only Noelle Murray (3), Siobhan Killeen (2), Leanne Kiernan (3), Claire O’Riordan (2) and Edel Kennedy (2) scoring more than once.