Five games are on offer this Saturday as the SSE Airtricity Women's Premier Division rolls into Round 7.
Five games are on offer this Saturday as the SSE Airtiricty Women's Premier Division rolls into Round 7.
Galway United v Sligo Rovers
Eamonn Deacy Park, KO 14:00
There is a cloud of positivity hovering over Galway right now following some notable results and even though they conceded late on to draw with Shamrock Rovers last week that will not have dented their spirits.
The emergence of Eve Dossen as a tough-tackling, quick-passing centre-back has allowed Phil Trill's side to build play through the lines, while goalkeeper Jessica Berlin has been superb and attacker Gemma McGuiness is starting to show her quality.
Sligo remain pointless after five games played and will be disappointed with their loss to DLR Waves in Round 6. Quite simply, they need to pick themselves up and start showing the form that won them so many neutral admirers last season.
If they can get the most out of the experienced duo of Emma Hansberry and Lauren Boles then they have a chance in this west coast duel. While Emma Doherty has the ability to be a game winner, should she get the service required.
Peamount United v Wexford Youths
PRL Park, KO 17:00
This game has been hugely entertaining over the last couple of seasons and there is no reason why this meeting should not be as action-packed. Peamount are top of the table and aiming to extend their lead, while Wexford will be stinging from a home loss to Athlone Town last week.
To the credit of manager James O'Callaghan, The Peas have developed a shape and system that suits them - even at this early stage of the season. A lot hinges on the movement of Sabhdh Doyle but they are not reliant on her as Erin McLaughlin, Becky Watkins, Carla McManus and Kate Mooney have also been excellent.
Wexford know that they must tighten up defensively at set-pieces following the Athlone game but it's not as if one defeat changes their approach. They need to trust in what they have been doing and simply raise the tempo so that they dictate the play and not find themselves on the back foot.
As ever, key to their play is captain Kylie Murphy who remains one of the smartest footballers in the League. However, Ireland WNT international Aoibheann Clancy is beginning to have more of an influence and her slick passing could guide them to success.
Treaty United v DLR Waves
Markets Field, KO 17:00
A narrow 1-0 loss to champions Shelbourne is not something to boast about, but it did show that Treaty are no longer the team they once were. There is a toughness being built within their changing room and they are not afraid to have a go either.
The shot-stopping ability of goalkeeper Ann-Marie UIliac has won a lot of plaudits, although manager Alban Hysa would like it if his No 1 was not as busy in this one. He would prefer if the focus was on someone like Cara Griffin, who can lead them forward.
DLR got back to winning ways last week and momentum will be the key word for them now. The Dublin outfit know that they can cut through teams - especially when forward Sarah McKevitt is in full stride - but they need to add consistency to their game in order to achieve that momentum.
One of the unsung heroes so far for The Waves has been Isobel Finnegan. Following a switch from Bohemians in the off-season she has been superb in the middle of the pitch by guarding her defensive line and moving the ball through the lines when transitioning play.
Shamrock Rovers v Bohemians
Tallaght Stadium, KO 17:30
The first ever meeting in this League between the storied Dublin rivals takes place in the home of women's football and it should not be missed. Rovers are the only unbeaten team left and that is a record that they will be determined not to lose in this one.
Feeding the ball to Jaime Thompson will be important. The Ireland WU19 ace finished second in voting for the SSE Airtricity LOIW Player of the Month for March and is showing that she is already a frontrunner for the Young Player of the Year award. She gets better with every game.
Bohemians were the idle team last week so that time off should have helped to nurse any bumps and bruises. It will also have given them more time to prepare a game-plan to overcome Rovers and part of that should involve using captain Erica Burke to wreak havoc up front.
The Gypsies have been pretty impressive defensively and their midfield is stacked with good players. The missing part is finishing off chances in front of goal with just five goals scored so far.
Athlone Town v Cork City
Athlone Town Stadium, KO 19:00
The late game on LOITV should be an exciting one as an ever-improving Cork team make the trip to the midlands to take on an Athlone side flying high following their big win over Wexford last week.
With Dana Scheriff scoring twice in that victory, Athlone know that they have more attacking options to call on. Still, though, the key to their play is hometown favourite Chloe Singleton who glides across the pitch and causes all sorts of problems.
Cork have yet to win this season and that will be on their minds. It should be because they are better than the League table suggests. But proving that by converting chances and closing out games is what matters.
They produced a laudable performance in the loss to leaders Peamount last week, so they should take a lot of heart from that. For this one, they need to match Athlone's intensity and show that they can create problems too.
SSE Airtricity Women's Premier Division
Galway United v Sligo Rovers - 14:00
Peamount United v Wexford Youths - 17:00
Treaty United v DLR Waves - 17:00
Shamrock Rovers v Bohemians - 17:30
Athlone Town v Cork City - 19:00
*All games LIVE on www.loitv.ie
