Galway WFC celebrate Anna Fahey's winning goal during their 2-1 win over Athlone Town at Athlone Town Stadium on Tuesday, 3 August 2021. Credit: Gerry Shanahan (ETPhotos)
League Preview: Galway -v- Peamount United
- Paul Corcoran
- Fri, Aug 06 2021
GALWAY
Galway will be looking to build on their win against Athlone Town earlier this week when they host Peamount United at Eamonn Deacy Park on Saturday afternoon (kick-off 4pm).
The Tribeswomen have been showing signs of improvement in recent weeks with impressive performances against Wexford Youths and Shelbourne although both games ended in narrow defeats.
Stephen Lally’s side claimed their first win in six games when they faced Athlone at Lissywollen on Tuesday night and that hard fought victory was a great reward for how they’ve been performing in their recent games.
Chloe Singleton scored her first goal of the season on Tuesday, with the midfielder earning her first start since her return from injury and Anna Fahey netted the winner late in the game after Lucy jane Grant had equalised for the Town.
Peamount are at a similar strength to both Shels and Wexford and James O’Callaghan’s side will be anxious to keep their winning streak going to stay at the top of the table so Galway will need to put in another strong performance to give themselves a chance of claiming a result on Saturday.
Anna Fahey had similar thoughts after the Tuesday night’s game in Atlhone when she spoke to extratime.com.
“We fancy our chances, we know the quality we have in the squad, we see it in training every day and it’s just about having that belief in ourselves on the pitch.
“We know we can match the best teams we just have to go out and do it and keep working hard and the results will start to go our way.”
There has been a positive development for Galway with the return of Kate Slevin to the squad with the midfielder back in training with Lally’s side although it remains to be seen if Shauna Brennan and Nicole McNamara will be fit for Saturday’s game after the pair had to come out of the Athlone Town game after picking up injuries.
PEAMOUNT UNITED
Peas have come straight back to form after their loss to Shelbourne a number of weeks ago.
That result has opened up the title race somewhat but with five wins in a row since that defeat, James O’Callaghan’s side are definitely back on track.
As it stands the title could go three directions but United will be keeping a close eye on the game between Shelbourne and Wexford Youths with the outcome of that game having potentially huge implications on the race to be crowned WNL Champions for 2021.
That said, they still have to come to Galway and perform to ensure they claim their three points from this series of games to keep the pressure up at the top of the table.
The last time the sides met it was Stephen Lally’s first game in charge of the Galway Girls with Peamount running out 4-0 winners, since then their performances have improved significantly and they’ve added plenty of experience with Emma Starr, Meabh de Búrca, Julie-Ann Russell and Becky Walsh all signing with the club.
It certainly won’t be as easy for United to get the win on Saturday but with great form to back them up they should be expected to nick the victory at the very least.
They did just that in their midweek game against DLR Waves, it took the side until the hour mark to break the deadlock with Aine O’Gorman netting for Peas, Rachel Doyle scored an equalizer in the 72nd minute and the game could very well have ended in a draw only for Lauryn O’Callaghan netting the winner six minutes later.
Keep an eye out for Eleanor Ryan Doyle this weekend, the striker is still top of the goalscoring chart for this season but she is on somewhat of a goal drought currently, when compared to her form so far this season, having not scored in her previous three games and the forward may be eyeing up this fixture as a chance to get back on form.
MATCH STATS
Eleanor Ryan Doyle is the top scorer in the WNL so far with thirteen goals to her name in 2021, three ahead of teammate Aine O’Gorman and Shelbourne’s Saoirse Noonan.
Peas are on a five game winning streak coming into this weekend’s fixture.
United are unbeaten in seven games against Galway, a run that stretches back to 2018 with Galway’s last victory occurring in September that year in a 3-2 victory at Eamonn Deacy Park.
PREDICTION
Galway 0–2 Peamount United
Galway
Injured: N/A.
Doubtful: N/A.
Suspended: None.
Peamount United
Injured: N/A.
Doubtful: N/A.
Suspended: None.
About Paul Corcoran
Paul Corcoran is an experienced writer and journalist and has contributed to various publications including the Galway United match programme Maroon View. He spends much of his time covering the fortunes of Galway United's teams …