Previewing the Champions ahead of the new season
The Champions know that every team will be fired up when they face them this season and that is just fine with them.
The difficulty for The Peas will be balancing their commitments in the UEFA Women's Champions League, when those qualifiers arrive in the summer, with their domestic duties. To handle that they will rely on the strength of their squad.
Bringing in Ciara Maher and Erica Burke from Bohemians adds depth to a roster that is already the best in the League. Also, the return of Lucy McCartan is a big plus as she didn’t feature much in 2023.
It is almost unfair to single out individuals in this Peamount squad because their greatest strength is how they work together as a unit. Sadhbh Doyle won Player of the Year, while Niamh Reid-Burke, Jetta Berrill, Karen Duggan and Erin McLaughlin all made the Team of the Year. But there are so many more who contribute in a big way.
Certainly, the run-in to the end of last season showed that the trio of Jess Fitzgerald, Freya Healy and Ellen Dolan are quite special. The latter two earned call-ups to the Ireland WNT squad and Fitzgerald was on the stand-by list. That is the highest compliment all three could have been afforded.
For Peamount to successfully defend their title they will need more of the same – from every player. Of course that will be difficult to repeat, but not impossible. They have more to give and the Champions League should ensure that they are not lacking in motivation.
Another possible x-factor could be the addition of former Bohemians manager Sean Byrne as assistant to James O’Callaghan. Bulking up their backroom staff with a title-winning coach could turn out to be an incredibly clever move.
Finish Last Season – 1st
Manager - James O'Callaghan
Key Player - Erin McLaughlin
