Later than we had hoped here’s this week’s Women’s Football Blast. To pull back to curtain this writer has been busy with college and work, we hope from April for more consistency with the publishing day which will ideally be Wednesdays.
Women’s Premier Division Round 1 Results
Galway United 0-1 Wexford Youths Goals: Ciara Rossiter 61′ (0-1)
Sligo Rovers 1-2 Shamrock Rovers Goals : Shauna Fox 8′ (0-1), Emma Hansberry 58′ (1-1), Áine O’Gorman 90+2 (1-2)
Treaty United 0-1 Bohemians Goals: Rachel Doyle P 60′ (0-1)
Athlone Town 1-3 Peamount United Goals: Chloe Singleton 4′ (1-0), Kate Mooney 9′ (1-1), Erin McLaughlin 39′ (1-2), Karen Duggan P 80′ (1-3)
Premier Division Kicks Off
A highly anticipated Premier Division season kicked off last Saturday.
Stats
Goals: 15 Home Goals: 8 Away Goals: 7 Clean Sheets: 3 Home Wins: 1 Away Wins: 4 Draws: 0
Wexford Youths were made to battle away to Galway. It was a tight edgy game that the away sides edged thanks to a classy finish from Ciara Rossiter. Youths will have games in which they score more goals, but early season games sometimes require just getting a win. Once the front two of Rianna Jarrett and Emily Corbett click and Elen Molloy returns it will become very difficult to keep clean sheets against Wexford. Credit to Galway who were well organised, Abbiegayle Ronayne had a good game in goal. Shelbourne got off to a flying start with a thumping win that puts them top of the table early on. New signing Kayla Hamric and Ireland u16’s coach Megan Smyth-Lynch ensured they wouldn’t miss any of their departed players. Cork City will have better days out and it’s far too early to write them off. In the late game Peamount were the better team away to Athlone, despite the President’s Cup winners bright start. Kate Mooney would be a good shout for the leagues top scorer, her work rate and finishing could see her in the Ireland set up by the end of the year. Shamrock Rovers left it late away to a battling Sligo Rovers, with Áine O’Gorman popping up with a crucial goal as she often has. Shauna Fox had a fantastic game. Treaty United will have plenty of positives to take from their game against Bohs, but it was the Dublin side that got the win thanks to a penalty from one of the league most underrated talents in Rachel Doyle.
As it Stands
Fixtures This Week
Women’s Premier Division Saturday 11th March
Bohemians vs Shelbourne Dalymount Park / 15:00
Cork City vs Galway United Turner’s Cross / 17:00
Peamount United vs DLR Waves PRL Park / 17:00
Shamrock Rovers vs Treaty United Tallaght Stadium / 17:30
Wexford Youths vs Sligo Rovers Eamonn Deacey Park / 18:00
Round 2 Looms
The first of many Dublin derbies is followed by the second of many Dublin derbies this season. Shelbournes face a tricky away day at Bohs to build on their early win in their title defense. Cork host Galway United in what will feel like the real start to their season at home. We get our first look at a young DLR Waves side away to Peamount who impressed last week. Shamrock Rovers play their first home women’s game in a long time with Treaty the visitors. Wexford Youths look to build a good start in their title chase.
All games life on LOITV.ie, €5 individually or you can get a season pass for €120 which allows you to watch men’s LOI games too.
Ireland World Cup Squad
In last week’s Women’s Football Blast we wrote that with the increased popularity in the women’s game and the recent success of the national side over the past two years, there is danger that casual fans gain the impression that women’s football in Ireland was only invented this past decade. We shouldn’t forget that the Women’s National League had players, coaches, and volunteers desperately trying to keep teams going over the past 10+ years. In the latest Ireland camp there were call-ups for new recently qualified players. Saoirse Noonan said in an interview that she wouldn’t complain if these new faces took one of her spots. The issue here isn’t that players weren’t born in Ireland, far from it. here have been many faces in squads who were born in different countries but qualified for Ireland through ancestors. Whether it’s been England, Scotland, or the USA these players have given there all for the green jersey and are worthy of representing our country. As are new faces who have only recently qualified. The issue is however, hotshotting new recruits into the team ahead of the World Cup. There’s a danger with doing so that players are only interested in playing now that there’s a major tournament. Over 35 players were used across extended squads during the last qualifying campaign, and there’s no shortage of talent within that pool of players. FIFA rejected the call to have 26-woman squads at the World cup, so it will be 23 players who make their way with some in reserve (3 of them have to be goalkeepers as always). That’s not a lot of places on the plane, and surely those that got us to the tournament deserve the majority of the places. There are injuries and will be more. It looks like Leanna Kiernan may be out for another little while, Ellen Molloy isn’t back from injury yet, Jess Ziu has unfortunately been ruled out. But there is enough talent to build a squad without using players that just made the switch in the last few months. There’s a lot of football to be played yet and it would be hard to pick a squad now, there me be bolters at home and abroad. But really there’s enough players who have been used to provide Ireland with a strong enough squad to compete.
Elsewhere
Ireland captain Katie McCabe helped Arsenal end their trophy drought with a stellar performance in the League Cup Final.
Last year throughout the second half of the Women’s National League we started posting our regular feature covering Irish women’s football at home and internationally.
This season the aim is to make the Women’s Football Blast a regular feature on our site. Each week we’ll have a look at things domestically in the Women’s Premier Division and Cup competitions, as well as the international sides, Irish players abroad, and highlighting other content produced with a focus on Irish women’s football.
This week we are looking back at the President’s Cup, and looking ahead to the start of the League.
First things first, a recent Post to Post Sport return…
PEIL AND BACK
After a hiatus of over a year and a half we recently relaunched our Irish football podcast. This we uploaded a bumper preview of the 2023 League of Ireland women’s season. Ciarán was joined by Dave, Jessica, and Eileen to look ahead to the huge year in Irish football. The trio of pundits gave their thoughts on the league going semipro, who will be in the title race, and which players could make a bolt for the international squad before or after the World Cup.
All episodes of Peil and Back and any other podcasts we do go up on Spotify and Anchor.
Our new Spotify page looks like this:
We will no longer be uploading things to the old one. Look out for the white Anchor logo on the top right of our logo.
You can listen to our 2023 Women’s LOI Preview on Spotify at the link, and don’t forget to subscribe!
Don’t Forget To Subscribe
We also upload to Anchor which is Spotifys podcasting site. You can listen on Anchor for free with no sign-up required!
We were joined by @YeSecondPost@jessicafarry and @eileeno10 to look ahead to the new season of LOI Women's Premier Division. Differing views on going semipro, the title race, and of course a bit of focus on the World Cuphttps://t.co/NJgEk7egxK
Our aim is to have weekly episodes of Peil and Back from April throughout the Irish football season. Keep an eye on our social media for updates and please subscribe to our channel!
Athlone Town Win President’s Cup
What an opener we had to the season. It may be something of a preseason affair, but the President’s Cup didn’t disappoint. It looked for all the world like Shelbourne had the game comfortably won after two early goals, only for Athlone to drag the game to penalties. The game finished 2-2 with Athlone winning 5-4 on penalties.
A great opener to what promises to be an exciting season
The cup final between the sides last season had its share of controversy and there were two contentious moments in the game, both of which occurred in each teams second goal. While Athlone were denied a goal back in Tallaght in November for a disputable offside call, their equalizer involved a handball. This was after Shelbourne’s second goal came from a penalty that was open to question. Another similarity from the cup decider was Shels managing the first half better, however this time Athlone found their way back in to the game. Noelle Murray scored the first for Shels, and what will surely be the first of many for her. The league champions were then awarded a penalty after Siobhan Kileen’s cross hit off the arm of Shauna Brennan. It was 2-0 with hardly 15 minutes gone. Athlone got one back through Muireann Devaney against the run of play shortly after the Midland’s sides goalkeeper Nyla Peterkin made a super save. Roisin Molloy got the equalizer in the second half to send the game to penalties. Ciara Glackin had come on as a the sub goalkeeper for Athlone and made two saves in the shootout to ensure Athlone picked up their first ever piece of major silverware. For the arguable nature of Shelbourne’s penalty and Athlone’s equalizer, the issue is consistency, or in this case, the lack of. Shelbourne were awarded a penalty for the ball striking a defenders arm. The arm in question was in a natural position and there wasn’t anything they could really have done about it. But if the ruling for the year is that if the ball hits a hand or arm at all then it’s a handball, that’s fair enough. That makes the awarding of Athlone’s second goal dubious, because the ball clearly struck an attackers arm. Both instances had no intention to control the ball with the arm, so either both are handballs are neither are handballs. That’s where the issue lies, the application of the law which saw a clear discrepancy in decisions. It was a thrilling game, and Athlone ensured they will be in the title race discussion for at least the opening parts of the season.
A New Era For The League
As Eileen rightly pointed out on this weeks episode of Peil and Back, the league has long been similar to a semi-professional environment. Players train as a team and individually throughout the week while holding down employment and education. The difference s now there is money involved, at least in most clubs. On the one hand it’s great to see players being compensated for their efforts, but there is a genuine concern that this is all happening a bit fast. We’re not too far removed from the league seeing three dominant clubs hammer the rest weekly, with the aforementioned rest occasionally dropping out of the league. Last season saw the most exciting title race in the leagues history, and it would be a shame to lose the competitiveness of the league, which has increased over the last number of seasons, due to financial imbalance. The FAI will need to step in and ensure teams have the necessary funding to compete and field teams, they are after all our national football association, and though they have long neglected their duties they should be backing domestic football in both the men’s and women’s systems. Surely the money that’s paid for ice-sculptures of the past should be pumped into our domestic leagues from senior to grassroots levels. While we are entering a new era, it’s important not to forget the work that has been done in the past decade by clubs, coaches, volunteers, and players to keep the league going. It’s fashionable now to support women’s football, but we’re only six years removed from the women’s national side having to go on strike. It’s important in coverage of the league we don’t act like Irish women’s football was invented last year, there were decades of struggle long before there was a league in it’s current guise. Players like Katie McCabe, Denise O’Sullivan, Louise Quinn, Áine O’Gorman and more all came through the domestic league to represent Ireland. If we want continued success and for Irish women’s football to grow beyond the World Cup, we need the support the national team is getting to be more than lip service and bandwagons. Many females players and coaches in football had to suffer to get Irish women’s football where it is, and we should not forget the struggles of the past and become ignorant of the continued support the domestic game needs.
The Season Ahead
With 11 teams taking part in the league one side will be idle each game. There is also the new addition of the League Cup which leads into a lengthy break while the World Cup takes place. The title race last year involved four teams who will all contend this year too by the looks of things. Shelbourne go in as double winners, Wexford Youths came close to winning the league last season, Athlone Town surprised everyone by coming second, and Peamount United, despite some writing them off, are still a quality side. Add into that a returning Shamrock Rovers, absent from the league for some time, now back in the women’s game having made big moves in the transfer market. Shamrock Rovers are the big name and the casual onlookers favourites to take the title, but in reality it won’t be straight forward. They’ve but together a strong team, but it’s a team full of players that haven’t played together. It may take them until midseason to really gel, and by then there’s a break. They have a quality goalkeeper in Amanda Budden, and proven goalscorers in Stephanie Zambra and Áine O’Gorman, one of last seasons revelations in Jessica Hennessy, and further quality in Alannah McEvoy, Abbie Larkin, and Savannah McCarthy. That’s a Women’s National League fantasy football team that would get a lot of points, but it remains to be seen if those players will clock as a team, and whether the amounts of money involved get in the way of a good atmosphere. Wexford Youths are our favourites for the league. They were good last season, and they’ve added to their team well with one of the best defenders in the league Louise Corrigan, one of last seasons top scorers in Emily Corbet, and a returning legend in Rianna Jarrett. They have managed to keep together much of last years team too. Maeve Williams had something of a breakout year in goal last season and will continue to improve, Kylie Murphy can go back to her preferred midfield role, and Ellen Molloy is set to return from injury. There are so many goals in this team, and they are bound to win something this year. Shelbourne, Peamount, and Athlone have all lost big names who helped them in their quest last season. One takeaway from the President’s Cup game was who will fill in at number 9 for Athlone, with numerous players having a go in that role. Shelbourne looked like world beaters in the first half of last weekends game and pressed very well, but were second best in the second half. Those who write Peamount off are doing so at their peril. As for the other six sides, it’s hard to know who finishes where. Bohs have signed wisely and Cork City looked a significantly improved team in the latter part of last season. DLR Waves are relying heavily on youth this year having seen an exodus of players. Galway United are under a new identity and may see a fresh set of eyes on them. Sligo will be looking to build on a decent first season, whereas Treaty United will have a chip on their shoulder having not won a game last term.
Fixtures This Week
Women’s Premier Division Saturday 4th March
Shelbourne vs Cork City 14:00, Tolka Park
Galway United vs Wexford Youths 14:00, Eamonn Deacey Park
Sligo Rovers vs Shamrock Rovers 17:00, The Showgrounds
Treaty United vs Bohemians 17:00, Market’s Field
Athlone Town vs Peamount United 19:00, Athlone Town Stadium
Athlone Town vs Peamount overs an early season title 6-pointer. The champions host a resurgent Cork City side. Bohemians go to a Treaty side looking for a first win in over a year, we have a Rovers derby, and Wexford go to a revamped Galway.
Ireland on the Road to the World Cup
Ireland played out a good draw against China PR in Marbella, Spain. Louise Quinn was exceptional as usual. There wee nervy moments but also promising signs for Ireland. It’s hard to read into a first friendly of the year but it’s good that the players have had a camp together.
There are four more friendlies scheduled ahead of the World Cup opener against Australia in July. Ireland will play USA twice away from home, and France and Zambia in Tallaght.
Results
Thursday 23rd February Ireland 0-0 China PR
Fixtures
Saturday 8th April USA vs Ireland
Tuesday 11th April USA vs Ireland
Thursday 22nd June Ireland vs Zambia
Thursday 6th July Ireland vs France
Elsewhere
Since moving on from Shelbourne Ireland international Jamie Finn has been doing well at Birmingham City. She recently played her 150th senior match.
Jamie is a cool-headed defensive player who does well in a holding midfielder role or as a centre-back. She’ll no doubt be in the Ireland squad in Australia come the Summer. Finn is adept at winning the ball back and screening the defense, and will play a key role for Ireland going forward.
Congratulations to @jamiefinn_ on playing her 150th senior game this afternoon.
She began her career at Raheny United and has also played for Shelbourne.
— Birmingham City Women Supporters Group (@BluesWomenSG) February 26, 2023
Last month on the other side of the Atlantic, Ireland’s superstar Denise O’Sullivan was named as captain for her club NC Courage. Congratulations to an incredible player.
An unbelievable honor to be named captain of a club I truly love. I promise to give everything to this club, teammates, staff, fans & the community. Let’s go 🤍 https://t.co/e6lu8v0jEq
Here’s some content on Irish women’s football from some of our buddies.
The Other 3 Amigos is a dedicated Cork City podcast, with a regular episode on the women’s side called Las Damas, featuring Eileen who you would have heard on the latest episode of Peil and Back.
PODCAST – Las Damas New Season is here – "Maeve & Agnes" Your totally unofficial @CorkCityFCWomen Podcast
On this weeks pod • Ins and Outs • Damien goes all wow • Shelbourne Preview • @LoiWomen preview
The WNL Show is an outlet dedicated purely to Irish women’s football, so naturally they’ve been busy in recent weeks.
@GalwayUnitedFC 's Therese Kinnevey looks ahead to new season
We caught up with Galway United vice-captain Therese Kinnevey ahead of the new season and discussed merger with Galway United and to look ahead to 2023 Season https://t.co/e8YPEHsNPA
All season we will be raising money for Ireland’s National Autism Charity As I Am. Visit our Charity Fundraiser Page and follow our progress and read up on our challenges. Every single donation goes a long way.
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