Underage Preview WU17
Our WU17 travel to Lecarrow in Roscommon today, splitting the distance by agreement with Donegal WFC in their fourth game in Phase 2. The team will be looking to bounce back from last weekend’s 6-2 loss to Shelbourne. With just one point from their opening three Elite Phase games, manager Jess Lawton are keen to get back to winning ways. “Shelbourne were a very good side, but I thought the scoreline flattered them a bit, we were excellent in the second half after a slow start, but didn’t take enough of our chances and didn’t shut Shels down either, which we needed to do”
“Donegal will be a tough test, I think we’re seeing already that the other side of the league before the Elite phase was probably a bit stronger, and a little more even and we need to continue to grow and not plateau after our excellent phase 1. We’ve looked at different ways of doing things and we’re really focused. We have Keira Sena back and Emer Slattery from Athletic has joined us, so that’s a great boost.”
Lawton must plan without captain Grace Flanagan after a recurrence of an injury during Irish Assessments this week. “We’re waiting for MRI results on Grace, she was just back from injury, she’s hugely important to us and of course to the Irish team also, but right now the most important thing is her recovery.”
Underage Preview WU19
Last Sunday’s WU19 team Cup game away to Bray Wanderers-Greystone United was unfortunately called off so Lawton has to face into Sunday’s home game against Shamrock Rovers with a different type of preparation but the team come off the back of an n excellent 3-0 win away to Carlow-Kilkenny where Fiana Bradley’s brace saw her reach the 20-goal mark for the season, with Meghan Carr adding the third, and Jess is keen to continue the side’s progression.
“The game being called off last weekend was very disappointing, we were practically on the bus but the flip side is that we’re now through to a Cup quarter final. It’s disappointing for us and for and really you just hope that this is a very rare occurrence at National League level.”
“This weekend, Shamrock Rovers will be a very strong side but I’ve been really happy with how we’ve been progressing and while we have to factor in the opposition, I just want us to continue how we’ve been going and what we’ve been building on. We’ve added a few new signings, some of whom will be available Sunday. Lauren Hughes and Abbie Coughlan should be cleared and we’re looking forward to seeing how they add to us.”
There was a little disappointment that the game clashes with the WN: Senior Team Cup game with Bonagee United. “Yeah, obviously a lot of the U19 squad want to cheer on the seniors and we have supporters who would like to see both games, especially parents of players. We did ask for the U19 game to be moved to 5pm, but that was denied by the FAI, and look, that would have left Rovers with a later trip home, but it’s definitely not ideal scheduling.”
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