Peas coach relishing Raheny test

Peamount United head coach Jason Carey expects Raheny United to pose a major challenge for his side on Sunday.

The FAI Cup champions have been in devastating form in the opening two fixtures of the new Women’s National League – with a 6-1 win over Cork and last Sunday’s 7-0 demolition of Wexford Youths – but the north Dubliners come to Greenogue with a similarly impressive record.

And Carey is relishing the meeting, which pits his table-toppers against the club trailing them on goal difference.

“There has always been a great rivalry between ourselves and Raheny,” said Carey, who takes charge of the team this weekend with manager Eileen Gleeson abroad.

“They’re packed with internationals and have buckets of talent. Although the season has only just started, it’s looking like it will between us two at this early stage.”

He does see the other clubs finding their feet in the coming weeks, however.

“As the teams settle, I believe the league will become more competitive. (Shamrock) Rovers are waiting for December when a lot of their players will become eligible to play, while Cork and Castlebar are improving and Wexford won’t be easy to beat down on their patch,” he added.

After last month’s European adventure, which saw Peas go out of the Champions League last 32 to French giants Paris Saint-Germain, their return to domestic action has been flawless thus far.

“I’m delighted with the start and the performances,” explained Carey. “The girls have been tremendous and our passing and movement is a joy to watch at times.

“The Champions League took preference for awhile and it was a great experience for us but everything has been geared towards being successful in this league.”

With an extremely settled squad, there were only minor adjustments to be made during the close season and Carey explains how the new arrivals have settled in seamlessly.

“Sharon Collins has won multiple titles and FAI Cups and it is great to have a player with that amount of experience on board.

“And to be able to sign someone of the calibre of Dora (Gorman) shows where this club is at right now. She is one the best players of her age group in the country.

“She’s very intelligent, she knows how to dictate a game and her work rate is excellent.”

Gorman was an immense presence in the Peas midfield last Sunday and the 18-year-old Ireland international will surely prove to be a shrewd addition to a squad which is already bursting with talent.

The league’s top scorer Stephanie Roche is unavailable and won’t add to her two consecutive hat-tricks but Sara Lawlor returned from a torn hamstring last week and could be set to feature from the start against Raheny.