Women's Nnl League Series 14 Preview

With thirteen series of games completed, Wexford Youths top the Women's National League table by two points although they have played two more games than their nearest rivals Raheny United. John Flood's team sit out Sunday's action as three games take place in the capital.

Raheny United go into their clash with Castlebar Celtic on a high after last week's drama in the snow and freezing cold of Greenogue saw the Northsiders beat rivals Peamount United by three goals to two thanks to a late, late comeback.

Raheny manager Sean Byrne is focusing on producing a similar display when Castlebar Celtic visit Morton Stadium.

"Last week’s game was a brilliant match. Peamount could have won it in the first half and had a big chance that could have put them 3-1 up. It was a great save from Emma Merrigan that kept us in it,” said Byrne.

“We rode our luck in the first half – we played with a bit of fear – but in the second half we did very well. I was delighted to win the game but we'd have been happy with the draw. You take the luck when it comes.

"We are just focusing on each challenge as it comes. Our management team is only in there a few weeks so we’ve been looking at how we attack and how we defend and try to get our ideas across but I’ve always felt that with the quality in our squad we have a great chance of doing well." 

Siobhan Killeen and Seana Cooke are both doubtful for Raheny while Castlebar welcome Sara Rowe back from holidays. They were unfortunate to lose 6-1 at home to leaders Wexford Youths last week.

"We were in it for the first 15 minutes last week but our heads went down after the first goal, although we got back into it and then let in another goal. Anything that could go wrong did,” said Celtic coach John Morris-Burke.

“In fairness Wexford were exceptional. They knew what they were doing and attacked very well.  We had several 16-year-olds in the team and that little bit of inexperience was possibly costly. We will look to get back to our proper form and rectify last week's result."

You can follow Live Updates of Raheny United v Castlebar Celtic here

Peamount United travel to Shamrock Rovers looking to put one of their most frustrating spells in a long time behind them when they meet the Hoops at Tallaght Stadium.

The Peas have lost two successive league games for the first time and manager Eileen Gleeson is looking for a response on Sunday. They will have to do so without inspirational defender Louise Quinn who moved to Swedish club Eskilstuna United recently.

"This is a new experience for us having to cope with a couple of losses but we’ll have to dig deep and get ourselves out of the situation,” said Gleeson.

"We didn’t go around blaming anybody in training this week. Looking back on it, last week was a great game – a real end to end tie. It could have gone either way. It was a good performance and it was unfortunate we lost it late.

“We’ve just focused on Rovers and how they'll play. We know we beat them heavily before but we won't presume we'll get a high score again. We'll look to create chances and hopefully take them.”

The Hoops will recall their 10-2 hammering by the Peas at Greenogue earlier in the season and manager John Walsh insists that was a one-off situation. 

“We've a point to prove after losing 10-2 at their place. The girls know that was a one-off,” said Walsh, who has to plan without Lindsay Hayden (foot) and Laura Traynor, who is not available. 

You can follow Live Updates of Shamrock Rovers v Peamount United here

DLR Waves boss Larry Mahony will be looking for his side to maintain their recent impressive form when they host Cork Women’s FC at Jackson Park on Sunday.

After the frustration of seeing last week’s fixture against Shamrock Rovers rained off, Mahony’s side will be looking to build on their previous impressive victory over Peamount United.

Caroline Healy (knee) and Katie McCarthy (hip) are injured for DLR while Cork are hoping Clare Shine can return from injury.

"We took up where we left off in training this week. I was happy with the intensity and I’m looking to bring that into Sunday’s game,” said Mahony.

"Cork have some very good individual players but just haven’t clicked as a team. They scored a very good goal on the counter when we played them last so we’ll be wary of that aspect of their play.

"We said to the girls to keep up the same levels of intensity and quality from the Peamount game and if we can perform the same way then the opportunity is there for us to get another home win."

 You can follow Live Updates of DLR Waves v Cork Women FC here