In a few days time the Women’s National League will kick off for its eight season and the general feeling around the clubs is that this year promises to be the most competitive yet. While everyone involved in the women’s game will freely admit there are still areas to be improved on to close the gap on the more successful women’s leagues in Europe, the WNL in Ireland has been steadily growing and the best is most certainly yet to come.
The introduction of the summer schedule last season proved to be a big success and the addition of Limerick FC to this year’s line up should eliminate the frustration of large gaps in fixtures in the 2018 campaign. The quality of player in the WNL has improved greatly since the league began due to the work been done at grassroots level and the initiatives been put in place by the FAI to increase female participation, while the introduction of the under seventeen National League will also play a huge part in developing players for seasons to come.
The balance of power shifted slightly in 2017 with four different clubs winning the four titles up for grabs. Wexford Youths victory over Peamount United on the final day of the season brought the league title back to Ferrycarrig Park for the third time in four years, while Cork City Women’s victory over UCD Waves in the Aviva stadium secured them the FAI Senior Cup for the first time. Shelbourne Ladies narrowly beat Peamount in the League cup decider with UCD Waves beating Galway WFC in the shield final. So what lies in store for 2018? Lets take a look at the teams.
Wexford Youths Women
The Youths regained the title in dramatic fashion last season beating Peamount in the final league fixture and finishing just two points clear of their nearest rivals. With yet another change in management this season and the exit of some key players they will need to get off to a good start to keep pace with the teams around them. They will also be without the services of dead ball specialist Emma Hansberry for the start of the season as she recovers from injury. The Youths will however be bolstered by the return of Ciara Rossiter, Rachel Hutchinson and Amy Walsh. The youth and energy of new signing Aoife Slattery and U-19 international Orla Casey, given the opportunity will also be huge assets to the squad. With all teams in the league continuing to improve Wexford will have a tough task to retain their title but with the squad been one of the most experienced in the league and with players such as Lauren Dwyer and Claire O Riordan in their ranks, should they gel early they will certainly mount a good challenge for silverware.
The club also announced a new head coach this week, with Tom Elmes (pictured below) taking the reigns after Laura Heffernan's departure following their league title success.
Aisling Frawley played a pivotal part last season with her pace, exceptional work rate along with a number of vital assists she was instrumental in Wexford success. If she can retain that form and add to her goal tally she will be key to Wexford’s challenge.
Orla Conlon was a rock at the heart of the Wexford defence last season and with changes inevitable across the Youths back four she will once again need to show her tenacity and leadership this season. Her ability to read the gam will be key in the organisation of the players around her and vital to maintain Wexford’s strong defensive record.
Peamount United
With one of the youngest teams in the league the Peas have made huge progress over the last two seasons, the fantastic underage structure within the club most certainly playing a big part. They will feel extremely unlucky to have finished last season without a trophy and the hurt of losing both the League cup and the League title at the final hurdle will have lingered long after the season ended. The inexperience and youth of the 2017 squad certainly played a part at crucial times however if they can learn from these moments they will most certainly be a force to be reckoned with this season. The Dublin side have also been very busy in the transfer window bringing in the invaluable experience of Senior internationals Karen Duggan (pictured below), Áine O’Gorman and Claire Walsh added to the quality of Barrett and Payne and the fact they have retained the majority of their squad it will make it very difficult to look past them as serious contenders for the 2018 title.
Key Players
Prolific goal scorer Amber Barrett is a thorn in the side of any defender her pace and power coupled with her clinical finishing could shoot Peamount to the title this year. Her experience at International level recently will also be a huge confidence boost and on form Barrett is almost unplayable.
Karen Duggen is a huge signing for the Peas, her ability to control a game from midfield or defence may be the key to getting over the line in the seasons crucial games, something which they lacked at times last season. Her quality of pass will also be a vital link to the peas exciting attacking unit.
Shelbourne Ladies
Shel’s will most certainly have been disappointed with last season’s return, although they secured the league cup their inconsistency in the league itself saw them surrender the title back to Wexford. With only one win in six against the top two they eventually finished the season in third place. They certainly look ready to mount a serious challenge again this season and have made a big statement by securing the return of the excellent Noelle Murray from Glasgow. The signing of defender Jess Gleeson (pictured below) from rivals Wexford will also add defensive strength but the key to Shelbournes challenge may be the balance they now have between experience and youth. The likes of Pearl Slattery, Siobhan Killeen, Murray and Gleeson bring a wealth of experience and with the youth of Izzy Atkinson, Tiegan Ruddy, Roma Mclaughlin, Alannah McEvoy and Alex Kavanagh they have a depth to the squad which may just give them the edge. However, on the eve of the start of the season Shelbourne lost the coaching duo of Mark Leavy and Shaun Maher, to be replaced by Danny Crowley and David Anthony Bourke. Whether that will have a major impact remains to be seen.
Key Players
Yet to be mentioned Leanne Kiernan has been one of the most exciting players to emerge in recent seasons, her bad run of injuries left her absent for most of last season which was a big blow to the Dublin outfit, however her recent form for the international senior team seems to show signs of her returning to her best and that can only be good news for the reds.
Noelle Murray – Murrays absence in the league last season was a huge loss. Technically one of the best in the league her vision and range of passing will compliment Kiernan and if they can strike up the understanding they had in the 2016/17 season they will be difficult to contain.
Galway WFC
Any team in the league will confirm the difficult challenge they face when they come up against Galway WFC especially in Eamonn Deacy Park. So why have Galway struggled to mount a title challenge in recent seasons? The main reason seems to be the lack of consistency especially away from home and their lack of a main striker at various times has certainly cost them points. Again last season the improvements were there to be seen and they certainly have a squad capable of mounting a challenge. They have regularly taken points off the top three teams, the key this season if they are to break into that leading pack will be to secure maximum points on a more consistent basis. With Billy Cleary again at the helm there is a strong chance of seeing some silver wear at Galway this season. They’ve also brought in a couple of American girls, Carlie Schecht and Emma Starr.
Key players
Underage international Aislinn Meaney has gone from strength to strength in recent seasons and her technical ability and pace while taking on defenders will create a number of chances for the Galway attackers. If Galway are to improve their goal return Meaney will certainly play a big part.
Shauna Fox (pictured below) has a reputation as one of the toughest defenders in the league, her ability in the air and her reading of the game has been instrumental to opposition teams struggles to break her team down. As she goes into another season her leadership will again be vital in the teams success.
Cork City Women FC
Last season was a prime example of what hard work, dedication and unity both on and off the pitch can achieve. After a couple of tough seasons where most players would have packed it all in and management surely questioned everything around them Cork have come out the other side and produced some stunning performances last season. The team have not only become more competitive defensively they have played some very good football along the way. They defeated both Wexford and Peamount on the journey to the Aviva and finished it off with a victory over early season contenders UCD Waves. Winning the FAI Cup was a deserved reward. The key to their 2018 season surely rests on them keeping the likes of Noonan, Shine and Budden and with the rumour of some other big signings to be announced they certainly have the quality to improve on last seasons fifth place league position.
Key players
Claire Shine (pictured below) produced some exceptional individual performances last season. She brings players into play better than any other in the league and is a constant danger anywhere within thirty yards of the oppositions goal. Like Peamounts Barrett she is absolutely clinical in front of goal and if she can stay fit this season, she will be a contender for top goal scorer this year.
Amanda Budden, like Shine was exceptional last year pulling off some phenomenal saves at crucial times throughout the season. Confident with the ball at her feet she also has the ability to start Corks attacks and will be again vital if Cork are to progress further this season. Ciara McNamara was named as club captain for 2018.
UCD Waves
Despite winning the Shield UCD struggled at key points throughout the season. Tipped as title contenders early in the season they got off to a great start and kept with the pace of the leading pack going into the title run in, but failure to beat Wexford and dropping points to both Shels and Peamount meant their challenge fizzled out. With the departure of O’Gorman, Duggan and Walsh it may be a season of transition for the Waves but with the addition of an underage structure last year, and the introduction of some new young talent to the squad could see them hit the ground running. With a tough run of fixtures of Peamount, Galway and Cork beginning their campaign they will need to get off to a good start to prevent falling behind the early leaders.
Key Players
Dearbhla Beirne (pictured below) - the tricky winger caused opposition teams a number of problems throughout the season. Her pace and ability to take on defenders in one against one situations will be key to the UCD attack. With the exit of Duggan, O’Gorman and Walsh, Beirne will be a big player for the waves this season.
Orla Nolan – With plenty of WNL experience and bundles of ability Nolan can now become a leader within the UCD ranks. Capable of some big performances in midfield and with an eye for goal Nolan now has the opportunity to step up and take charge.
Kilkenny United WFC
Last season was a mixed bag for Kilkenny on the field. They recorded their first ever victory beating Galway united one nil and certainly showed signs of closing the gap on the teams above them but this was mixed with some heavy defeats. Although they have lost a number of quality players over the last two seasons if they can put together a squad with a little more depth than recent years they can certainly continue to improve. A dedicated staff in the background will certainly make sure they are ready for their first game against newcomers Limerick FC and the re-signing of Niamh Kelly and Bronagh Kane will help maintain some stability within the team. They’ve also signed underage Internationals Gillian Keenan and Nicole Plunkett.
Key Players
Full Squad yet TBC
Limerick FC
With details of their squad yet to be announced Limerick are entering 2018 as an unknown. One thing is for sure this is a project that has been well prepared and the announcement off Dave Rooney as team manager is a sign of intent by the newcomers. Rooney has a wealth of experience in girls football at both club and international level and his knowledge of players in the area will most certainly mean he will have a strong squad available for selection on March 11th.
Key players
Megan Kelleher (pictured above), the wily old veteran Sylvia Gee, and experienced defender Megan Carroll (formerly of Cork and Galway).
Full Squad TBC
Season Predictions
Top 2
Based on the retention and strengthening of their squads and the emergence and growing experience of their younger players Peamount Utd / Shelbourne ladies look favourites to battle it out for the top two positions
3rd – 6th
There will be very little to separate Galway WFC, Cork City, Wexford and UCD Waves but Wexford should finish top of the pile in third based on their experience and big game players. Their challenge for the top two places will come down to how well they start the season.
7th – 8th
The aim for both Kilkenny and Limerick will be to break into the mid table places this season and use that as a platform to build on for seasons to come.
Picture Credits: FAI.ie Galway WFC
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