‘We focus on trying to improve day to day’

COLLIE O’Neill’s Shamrock Rovers kick start their second season in the SSE Airtricity Women’s Premier Division this Saturday when they look to dispatch DLR Waves for a third time in twelve months, reports Christine Allen.

Finishing just seven points short of title winners, the Greenogue greats Peamount United, the women in green and white will no doubt be one of the favourites to get their hands on the title in their sophomore year in the WNL.

A feasible prospect given The Hoops topped the WNL in early June of 2023 following an impressive home record of eight wins, one draw and one defeat.

Speaking to The Echo, O’Neill is quick to highlight that the journey to success starts long before the flash of bulb on silverware.

“I would have to say first and most importantly our eye is not on any title, it’s not how we operate, we focus on trying to improve day by day with the team as a whole trying to be better this week than what we were last week, that’s how we go about our business and if it brings success at the end of the season great.

“The attitude of the players has been brilliant since we’ve returned and we’re hoping we can build upon the foundations from last season.”

While Rovers have lost the formidable presence of Jess Gargan in defence to rivals Shelbourne, O’Neills squad have retained the majority of the key players that solidified last season’s strong third place finish, including the roving seventeen year old phenom Lia O’Leary, who was awarded Players’ Young Player of the Year, Supporters’ Young Player of the Year at the club, along with the SSE Airtricity Young Player of the Year.

In another boost to their campaign, experienced Irish international and Hoops skipper Aine O’ Gorman put pen to paper to remain at Rovers.

Capped 119 times for Ireland and with a dozen for Rovers last season leaving the former international one goal short of hitting a domestic league milestone of 200 goals, O’Gorman and technical playmaker Stephanie Zambra will no doubt play a crucial role in the development and mentoring of the young guns that have flocked to Dublin 24.

On how preparations have differed in Rovers 2024 pre-season, O’Neill reflected.

“Yeah things have been slightly different this year in comparison to last season.

“Last year we spent a lot of time working on the fundamentals and trying to develop the way that we wanted to play, this year it was more a case of trying to hit the ground running and trying to build on top of what had already been achieved.

“The team is fitter, stronger and sharper than last year but all other teams would be able to say the same this year.”

Yet former Under 17s Shelbourne Women’s coach, Lauren Heffernan will no doubt be hopeful that The Waves can crash the party at the four in a row Dublin 24 club, surpassing their 8th place finish last season with the help of versatile defender and Rovers alumni Chloe McCarthy and the pacy Nadine Stewart in attack.

All to play for at the UCD Bowl in this season opener.