Ireland stars of tomorrow back in league action
THE Women’s Premier Division resumes after the international break today with TG4 broadcasting their first game of the season from Athlone, who host Peamount United in a tasty-looking encounter.
And for some of those on either side, there was no rest during the international break as they helped Ireland under-19s qualify for the European Championships for the first time in 10 years. Athlone custodian Katie Keane was solid as Dave Connell’s side topped the group, while the Peamount pair of Freya Healy and Ellen Dolan, who were called into the senior squad last year, also played a part.
It’s an illustration that those who come to the women’s League of Ireland will see the stars of tomorrow. Joy Ralph was one of three Shamrock Rovers players who were part of that squad, along with Aoife Kelly and Lia O’Leary. Ralph scored in Ireland’s first two qualifiers, maintaining the form that saw her named her club’s player of the month for March.
‘She has been really good,’ said Rovers manager Collie O’Neill. ‘She has great pace and hunger and a little bit of aggression but that is what you want. I think she will have a bright future in the game.’
Shamrock Rovers travel to Tolka Park this afternoon for an interesting-looking game against Shelbourne, while league leaders Galway United welcome Bohemians to their home, while Sligo Rovers will have Jodie Loughrey back from under-19 duty when they go to Limerick. Loughrey started two qualifiers and scored in the 4-1 win over Iceland. She came on as a sub in the 3-0 win over Croatia.
‘Fantastic for Jodie, and fantastic for Sligo Rovers as well to have a player representing the club at national level,’ said Sligo boss Tommy Hewitt. ‘Jodie started both games, it’s fantastic. It gives younger girls belief when they see a girl from Sligo Rovers can go on and represent the country on the national stage, a lot of the other girls have done it too. Next step is to get a player into the senior squad. That will be a big thing.’ WOMEN’S PREMIER DIVISION: Shelbourne v Shamrock Rovs, Tolka Park, 2pm; DLR Waves v Cork City, UCD Bowl, 3pm; Galway Utd v Bohemians, Eamonn Deacy Park, Treaty Utd v Sligo Rovs, Market’s Field, both 5pm; Athlone Town v Peamount Utd, Lissywollen 7.35pm (LIVE TG4)