Peamount take huge step in drive for title

By Stephen Leonard

PEAMOUNT United, last night, carded a huge result in their bid for the Women’s National League title after they twice battled back from a goal down to beat defending champions Shelbourne Ladies 3-2 in Greenogue.

Ireland senior international Amber Barrett served up two equalisers in response to goals from Shelbourne’s Siobhan Killeen and Alex Kavanagh before substitute Megan Lynch curled home, what proved, the winner.

 The victory hauled the Newcastle side to within two points of leaders Wexford Youth Women’s FC and they now have the opportunity to overtake at the top should they bag maximum points from their game in hand which sees them take on Cork away next Wednesday.

That would leave them on a sound footing ahead of their trip to Wexford the following Saturday for what could effectively prove a title decider.

While delighted at seeing his side beat the defending champions for the third time this season, Peamount manager James O’Callaghan is refusing to let his players get ahead of themselves.

“We’ve won nothing yet. We’re just taking one game at a time” he told Echo.ie

“It was a great win for us last night against a team like Shelbourne who were the champions last season and did the double. We’re the only team to beat them this season.

“Amber Barrett was great for us last night. She’s a very dangerous attacking player and getting her call-up to the Irish senior team recently has really helped her.

“We have to go to Cork next Wednesday and then we have to play Wexford away.

“Wexford are a phenomenal team. They won the league two of the previous three seasons and did the double themselves in that time, so they’re a very experienced side and it’s a big ask for us.”

O’Callaghan believes the encouraging position his side finds itself in is a reflection of how well the club is progressing overall.

“We have a lot of young players coming up through the Peamount system- 18 and 19-year-olds.

“There’s a great pathway there for them and these places are very dedicated. On top of that, we have players at Under 14, 15 and 18 level who are showing great potential.

“Peamount did lose a few of their big players over the last couple of years to other teams, so some of these young players have been thrown in at the deep end and it’s great to see them doing so well.

“We have players on the Ireland international Under 19 and 17 teams and now two on the senior panel” he pointed out.