Peamount's Niamh Farrelly: 'We can talk the talk and people can talk us up as being this team and that team, but we want to go and win the double'

Peamount's Niamh Farrelly is treated by a medic during a WNL clash with Cork City.

Niamh Farrelly is treated by a medic during a WNL clash with Cork City. Credit: Steve Alfred (ETPhotos)

A rebirth at centre-half this year has seen Niamh Farrelly achieve international recognition this season but the Dubliner’s eyes are trained firmly on domestic honours.

Farrelly was part of Vera Pauw’s squad for recent internationals with Germany, Ukraine and Greece on the back of showings in the heart of the Peas defence.

Her natural position – where she’s played most of her senior football – is centre midfield but needs must after captain Louise Corrigan suffered an ACL tear earlier this year.

21-year-old Farrelly was pushed back into defence – where she’s played underage for Ireland – and James O’Callaghan’s side conceded just five goals in 12 league games.

Remarkably, three of those came in their sole defeat to Wexford Youths in September – the west Dublin side let in just two goals in their remaining 11 games.

They kept a clean sheet, too, in their Champions League defeat on penalties away to last season’s quarter-finalists Glasgow City.

It’s no surprise that international manager Vera Pauw – who was present as Peamount sealed the title with a win over Shelbourne last month – has quickly become a fan.

Senior international caps remain an ambition but the prospect of a first league and FAI Cup double remain the priority for Farrelly.

“We’ve pushed on this season but we’ve done the exact same as we did last season and what we really want to do is go out with the double this year,” says Farrelly.

“It’s been a disappointing end to the last two seasons to not go that step further.



“We can talk the talk and people can talk us up as being this team and that team, but we want to go out and win on Saturday, so that’s the end goal.”

Last season’s league triumph saw Farrelly emerge as the league’s foremost midfield general but she has had to rein in her natural game for the good of the team this year.

“This season, Louise Corrigan done here ACL unfortunately, and she’s been great for us the last few seasons.

“She’s been probably one of our best players and, when she got injured, there was a space there at centre-half to be filled.

“I do have experience playing there with the underage international set-up, so when James asked me to fill a gap there I was more than happy to.

“I think I’ve developed a good partnership with Claire Walsh this year at centre-half and I’m really enjoying it.



“So whether it’s long term or short-term, I’m really enjoying it so I’ll play anywhere once I’m on the pitch.”

The switch has certainly caught the attention of Pauw and, though the manager has yet to cap her, it’s only a matter of time before she does, and club offers abroad seem likely to follow.

“In this league, we’re probably favourites most of the time, so we do have a lot of time to play out from the back and you can try and express yourself more,” she says.

“We can get on the ball more, so you’re showcased more at centre half, and I’ve really been enjoyed going into the camps with Vera.

“It’s good to have two positions and be versatile, to get picked for squads. The fact I can play midfield and centre half, it’s only a positive really.”