Dee confident of Castlebar prospects

With eight games gone in the inaugural season of the Women's National League, one thing is assured, if Castlebar Celtic are playing you can expect a lively game. With an average of just over five goals per game so far, excitement is guaranteed.

However not all those goals have been in favour of the Mayo side. Impressive wins (5-1 over Wexford Youth and 3-0 over Shamrock Rovers) have been balanced out by conceding too many goals (5-5 against Raheny United, 4-1 against Peamount and 4-3 against Wexford Youths).

Castlebar welcome Cork Women's FC to Celtic Park on Sunday at 2pm and they will be facing into a tough game with a much changed side from the one that lined out in November.

Ruth Fahy has emigrated to New Zealand and Katie Walsh has returned to college. On the injury front, Aileen Gilroy is recovering from an operation, Emma Mullin has a groin strain suffered against Wexford Youths and Carol Hegarty continues to recoup from a knee injury sustained against Raheny.

As if that was not enough, Ashling Concannon and Rachel King are suffering from a bout of flu  and new signing Susie Cunningham picked up a knee injury against Shamrock Rovers last weekend.

Despite the injuries, Castlebar Celtic manager Jeremy Dee is upbeat. "We are really enjoying the adventure of the National League".

"All our dedicated players have partaken in the campaign to date. We are disappointed with our points tally to date, but have every intention of realising our potential in the remainder of the campaign.

Some welcome respite is on its way for Dee's side with the announcement midweek that they will receive a bye in the Bus Éireann Women's League Cup.

"A bye in the first round of the cup compensates a little for having to travel to Wexford and Cork twice in the league. We look forward to our meeting with Cork with anticipation."

You can follow Castlebar Celtic versus Cork Women FC on Extratime, kick-off on Sunday is at 2pm.