League Preview: Shelbourne -v- Bohemians

SHELBOURNE

Shelbourne begin their Women’s National League title defence when they host Dublin rivals Bohemians at Tolka Park on Saturday afternoon (kick-off 2pm).

It will be interesting to see just how strong Shels are still having lost the likes of Ciara Grant to Rangers during the offseason.

That departure came after the Reds lost Jamie Finn and Emily Whelan to Birmingham City midway through last season.

Noel King’s squad is still stacked with quality however, with Pearl Slattery, Jess Ziu, Chloe Mustaki and Noelle Murray all returning for 2022 – to name just a few.

He’s added the experienced goalkeeper Amanda McQuillan, Peamount’s Megan Smyth-Lynch and the promising Republic of Ireland under 17 international Aoife Kelly which should help bolster Shelbourne as they look to claim a second title in a row.

This could also be a big year for striker Abbie Larkin who scored her first WNL goals last term and is now a Republic of Ireland international having lined out for Vera Pauw’s team when they played Russia earlier this year.

They will also be boosted by the return of Saoirse Noonan who had signed for Durham in January but will return to the Reds while she recovers from an injury.

A test against an improving Bohemians will be a good start for Shelbourne in what will be a competitive year at the top of the table.

BOHEMIANS

Sean Byrne’s side finished in sixth place last season and they will be eyeing up a higher finish this season given their off-season recruitment.

Bohs have captured Republic of Ireland underage international Rachael Kelly from Shelbourne, DLR Waves duo Katie Burdis and Ciara Maher along with Wexford Youths trio Fiona Ryan, Kira Bates Crosbie and Sinead Taylor.

Taylor is one of the most eye catching signings in that list, the striker has been around for a long time in the WNL and she’s still banging in goals – the forward is coming off the back of a nine goal campaign with Wexford in 2020.

Add those signings to the promising squad Bohs had in place last year with the likes of Isobel Finnegan, Chloe Darby and Erica Burke all returning and 2022 could be a promising year for Bohemians.

Shelbourne will be a stern test for Sean Byrne’s side however, but the side will find out quickly where they are and possibly what level they can aim to be on Saturday.

Referee: Daniel Murphy

MATCH STATS

Since Bohemians joined the WNL in 2020 the side have faced each other four times, Shels have won all four meetings.

Shelbourne’s 2021 WNL title was their first since 2016.

PREDICTION

Shelbourne 2–0 Bohemians