The SSE Airtricity Women's Premier Division returns to action on Saturday, April 15 with five games.
The SSE Airtricity Women's Premier Division returns to action on Saturday, April 15 with five games.
Shelbourne v Treaty United
Tolka Park, 14:00
The Champions will look to pick up the groove that they found in the early games of this season with Noelle Murray pulling the strings and Kayla Hamric supplying the killer blows.
If Noel King's team are to collect the three points here then they must dominate from the first whistle and use their home advantage. That is easier said than done but they have the experience in their squad to execute it.
Treaty are probably the one team who didn't want the international break to come as they collected four points in their last two games. The impact that new manager Alban Hysa is having on the team is clear to see - even if there are many games to come.
The most important aspect of the game-plan for The Shannonsiders must be building a strong defensive unit as they will be expecting plenty of pressure from Shelbourne. If they can shut them out, then it's a case of being clever with the ball and breaking quickly on the counter attack.
DLR Waves v Sligo Rovers
UCD Bowl, 14:00
Manager Graham Kelly will be relishing this game after watching his side lose to Bohemians in their last outing, which ended a good spell for DLR. He will ask his players for a positive response as they set out claiming their second win of the season.
The return of striker Joy Ralph will provide the Waves with an attacking outlet that has already proven to be a significant weapon for them. So feeding the ball into Sarah McKevitt and Eve O'Brien to create attacking opportunities will be top of their to-do list.
Sligo need to get going in 2023. They have yet to pick up a single point after four games played. While that look to be alarming form, it isn't. Manager Steve Feeney knows what he is doing and will remind his players that they are not far from getting it right on the pitch.
In Casey Howe, they have a potential game-winner and striker Emma Doherty - as she showed on international duty with the Ireland Women's Under-19s - is lethal in front of goal. Getting the ball into those two will be vital in this one.
Cork City v Peamount United
Turner's Cross, 17:00
Still chasing that first win of the season, Cork City know that they need to be better in all areas of the pitch. Thankfully for them they have a manager in Danny Murphy who is honest enough to recognise this and has the skillset to address it - even against the bigger teams.
There have been signs of late that Laura Shine can be the striker that City need her to be, but maintaining possession of the ball and sliding it through to her will be key to their success. If they close up at the back, then The Leesiders can spend more time focusing on their transition play.
Peamount have been almost perfect so far this season. Top of the League with four wins from five games, they have been a joy to watch. So it's simply more of the same that they will want to produce as they make the trip down to the Rebel city.
Defender Tara O'Hanlon will attempt to shake off jet lag after making her Ireland WNT debut in the United States and she will be a big player for The Peas as her overlapping runs on the left side have led to many goals. But don't discount the influence of Sadhbh Doyle in central areas.
Galway United v Shamrock Rovers
Eamonn Deacy Park, 17:00
Back-to-back wins away to Shelbourne and Athlone Town saw Galway jump up the League table and send a message out that they are a team to be taken seriously. The mission now is to build on that and improve their home form.
Veteran forward Lynsey McKey has been outstanding, while Jenna Slattery and Kate Thompson are giving The Tribeswomen plenty of mobility in the midfield to put them in behind their opponents' defensive lines. It is all about maintaining that and taking their chances in front of goal.
Shamrock Rovers had nine players away on international duty last week, so manager Collie O'Neill will need to keep that in mind going into this game. He still has plenty of fully fit options available, such as Stephanie Zambra who can be a difference maker.
The Hoops have been impressive with 11 goals scored and only three conceded (the joint best defence), but they know that they are only getting started. Expect to see them attack this game as if it were a play-off with everything on the line.
Wexford Youths v Athlone Town
Ferrycarrig Park, 19:35
The TG4 cameras will be switched on to broadcast what should be a thoroughly entertaining duel between two potential title rivals. Wexford have played fewer games than anyone else this season but have been seriously good in their three outings so far.
The forward combination of Rianna Jarrett and Emily Corbet, with captain Kylie Murphy in support, is frightening. They can tear teams apart with their football intelligence and ability to score all kinds of goals. Wexford will look to supply them with service often and early.
Athlone will feel that they have yet to discover any sort of momentum this season, but this game could be when that happens. After all, they are a team that responds to a challenge.
The 8-0 thumping of Treaty United serves as a warning of what they can do. However, they need to match Wexford in every department in order to get the likes of Chloe Singleton and Maddison Gibson into areas where they can fire their team in front.
SSE Airtiricity Women's Premier Division
Shelbourne v Treaty United – 14:00
DLR Waves v Sligo Rovers – 14:00
Cork City v Peamount United – 17:00
Galway United v Shamrock Rovers – 17:00
Wexford Youths v Athlone Town – 19:35 (LIVE ON TG4)
