WNL Preview: Wexford Youths -v- Peamount United

The WNL returns today.

The WNL returns today. Credit: Hugh de Paor (ETPhotos)

WEXFORD YOUTHS

Since 2015 Wexford Youths have won four WNL titles, three FAI Cups, the WNL Cup and represented the league superbly on the European stage as well. Tom Elme’s sides have been a joy to watch and the absolute model of consistency in terms of maintaining such high performance levels and quality season after season.

They will surely take heart and confidence in the fact that they were the only team to beat Peamount in the league last season with Peamount going on to win their second league title in a row.

They will be disappointed to have finished eleven points behind Peamount last season and will be doing their utmost to ensure they improve on that this time around. A win this afternoon would be a real statement of intent towards that goal.

In terms of their squad for the new season, Blessing Kingsley has departed for Mississippi but Tom Elme’s has really strengthened by adding Kim Flood, Kate O’Regan, Freya de Mange and Lynn Marie Grant to their ranks.

He also has last season’s WNL Young Player of the Year to call on in 16-year-old Ellen Molloy. A real breakthrough season for the young star saw her deservedly picking up the award as well as a call up to Vera Pauw’s senior Ireland squad. The young midfielder set the world alight in the WNL last season and will be looking to continue her rise within the league this season.

Kylie Murphy and Lauren Kelly are slight doubts ahead of the game according to the club website.

PEAMOUNT UNITED

Peamount get their 2021 season underway this afternoon as league and cup champions having concluded their season with an impressive FAI Cup final display against Cork City. A 6-0 defeat of Cork City at the Aviva Stadium on the 12th of December in Tallaght Stadium was the cherry on the top of a fantastic season for Peamount. O’Callaghan has them playing a really attractive brand of football at this stage and they will be fiercely determined to back it up with the retention of both in 2021.

As well as the ambition of retaining the league and FAI Cup, a huge motivation for the double champions will be testing themselves once more on the European stage. O’Callaghan’s side did themselves proud and did the Women’s National League proud when they took on the might of Glasgow City in the Champions League last November.



Glasgow started the game as overwhelming favourites on the night but Peamount matched them in every area of the pitch, taking the game to extra time before being edged out in a penalty shootout. 

Since that tie, commanding centre half Niamh Farrelly has made the move from Peamount to Glasgow in what will be seen as a big loss to the Peamount squad as they look towards 2021.

Choe Smullen and Chloe Fitzpatrick have been rewarded for their form at U17 level last season as they have joined the senior ranks for the season ahead alongside the exciting young talents of Becky Watkins and Della Doherty.

Combine this with the league’s top goalscorer Aine O’Gorman and Player of the Year in 2020 Karen Duggan and Peamount look to be in a strong position as the 2021 season kicks off.

Referee: Claire Purcell

PREDICTION



Wexford 1-2 Peamount

    About Brendan Graham

    Brendan Graham has had a few stints with Extratime.ie and is back writing with them since November 2017.Brendan is a fan of Bohemian F.C and has been to most of the League of Ireland grounds … View Full Profile