The fourth round of games in the SSE Airtricity Women's Premier Division look to be really exciting with Peamount United aiming to maintain their winning start to the season, while a host of challengers are right behind them.
The fourth round of games in the SSE Airtricity Women's Premier Division look to be really exciting with Peamount United aiming to maintain their winning start to the season, while a host of challengers are right behind them.
This is still a pivotal point of the season for all clubs as they set about establishing their best line-up, most suitable tactics and, crucially, picking up points. That makes all four games worth watching.
All games are live to watch on www.loitv.ie
Shelbourne v Galway United
Tolka Park, 14:00
The champions are still unbeaten after three games but they still have a few gears to shift up to and that is worrying for the rest of the League. Noelle Murray has been superb as their playmaker and Kayla Hamric has been an exciting addition up front.
If The Reds are to dominate in this one, they will turn to Megan Smyth-Lynch and Alex Kavanagh to provide the assists as they are two of the best long-range passers of the ball and can expose gaps in any defence.
Galway are still trying to settle as a team under new boss Phil Trill but their performance in the narrow loss to Bohemians will give them confidence as they were aggressive, alert and ambitious – they just need to score goals.
An obvious solution to their goalscoring problem is feeding the ball into winger Gemma McGuinness so she can run at the Shels backline and set up chances for the likes of Lynsey McKey and Aoife Thompson.
Bohemians v Peamount United
Dalymount Park, 15:00
After welcoming Erica Burke back from injury last week, Bohemians now have a focal point in attack to play off and that should free up Sarah Rowe to do what she does best and run with the ball at her feet.
The Gypsies know that the key to winning this game will be dominating in midfield, so they will turn to Fiona Donnelly and Mia Dodd to limit the influence of Karen Duggan and Sadhbh Doyle.
League leaders Peamount have been excellent in their early outings and more of the same will be the request from their management. In order to do that, they will need to keep moving the ball forward quickly and giving Doyle licence to support the attack.
A big part of their play though is a solid defence with Jetta Berrill joining Chloe Moloney at centre-back with the dependable Lauryn O’Callaghan and Tara O’Hanlon on either side at full-back and Niamh Reid-Burke in goal. They are sure-footed and working well together.
DLR Waves v Athlone Town
UCD Bowl, 16:00
The midfield engine room of Neema Nyangasi and Isobel Finnegan has already proved to be a real find for DLR Waves this season. If they can continue to click as a duo, the team can feed off their energy and two-way play.
With in-form striker Joy Ralph away with the Republic of Ireland Women’s Under-17s, this game could see former Peamount United ace Michelle Doonan get a chance to impress.
Athlone hit eight in their last outing – away to Treaty United – and even though this should be a closer game, expect Tommy Hewitt to set his team up to attack at every opportunity.
Getting service into Maddison Gibson will be key to their approach, so expect to see Julia Weithofer and Shauna Brennan to break forward on overlapping runs, while Chloe Singleton will look to pull the creative strings in midfield.
Sligo Rovers v Treaty United
The Showgrounds, 17:00
It was always going to take time for Treaty United to find their groove with a new manager and, largely, a brand new squad. However, this League can be cruel so they need to learn fast and react.
The Shannonsiders must tighten up defensively and use the ball better in transition to attack. They know this and will view this game as an opportunity to put into practice what they have been working on in training.
Sligo, meanwhile, are targeting that first win of the 2023 season. They have done well in each of their three games played but conceding nine goals will worry manager Steve Feeney.
The good news is that they have showed the courage to shoot from distance, the ability to break the lines and the commitment to keep going in games. This is a big game for The Bit O’Red.
SSE Airtricity Women’s Premier Division
Shelbourne v Galway United, 14:00
Bohemians v Peamount United, 15:00
DLR Waves v Athlone Town, 16:00
Sligo Rovers v Treaty United, 17:00
*Cork City v Wexford Youths rescheduled for May 27
