Peamount begin defence of the league crown

PEAMOUNT United begin the defence of the Airtricity League Premier Division when they square up to Cork City away. Having won the title for the fourth time in the club’s history, Peamount under manager James O’Callaghan will be aiming to get off to a winning start.

They certainly have the potential to defend the title with players of the calibre of Erin McLaughlin and Jess Fitzgerald among key players.

Named the Active South Dublin Team of the Year in association with The Echo, The Plaza Hotel and SDCC, the Newcastle side will quickly want to forget their result in the President’s Cup final last weekend.

Three second-half goals helped Athlone Town to a 3-0 victory over Peamount United to secure the President’s Cup in Athlone Town Stadium. Goals from Chloe Singleton (2) and Casey Howe ensured Athlone successfully retained the trophy that they won last year following an impressive display.

This was a battle between the 2023 Sports Direct Women’s FAI Cup winners and the 2023 SSE Airtricity Women’s Premier Division champions.

Peamount United start the defence of the Premier Division against Cork City

However, momentum swung in favour of Ciaran Kilduff’s team after the interval with Singleton pulling the strings to edge her team in front.

She had only come on as a 65th-minute substitute but her quality proved to be the difference.

Peamount will now be focused on the Cork City encounter and will be hoping that players like Lauryn Callaghan, Freya Healy, Karen Duggan and Sadhbh Doyle guide them through this test.