“That monkey is off our backs, so we’re hoping to have a good run again”
By Daire Walsh
HAVING finally secured FAI Women’s Cup honours in emphatic style against Cork City last December, Peamount United’s Karen Duggan has her sights set on reclaiming the crown in 2021.
Currently her second spell at the club, the former Republic of Ireland international was on the Peas side that lost out to Wexford Youths in both the 2018 and 2019 deciders.
Treaty United provide the opposition at Jackman Park on Sunday (kick-off 2pm) in the competition’s quarter-final and Duggan is eager for the Newcastle outfit to laid down a marker.
“I felt like we’ve had a lot of disappointments in the Cup up to that point [last season’s win over Cork in the final] and it nearly started to feel like a chore,” Duggan told The Echo.
“All the losses we’d had. Now we’re going into this off the back of winning it. That monkey is off our backs so we’re hoping to have a good run again this year. I definitely think it’s something we can reclaim hopefully,” Duggan insisted.
While seven places and 35 points separate them in the Women’s National League table, the Kilkenny native is anticipated a tough challenge in Limerick this weekend. When the two teams met at the same venue on May 2, Peamount were left frustrated during a scoreless opening half before eventually pushing on to record a 3-0 win.
“I feel like they’re growing into games and they’ve got a lot of young girls. They’re growing into the league and they’re particularly fast and threatening up top. It’s definitely not a game we can take for granted.
“I’m sure that they’ll be set up and have been targeting the Cup, because it’s something any team can win. They’ll be gunning for this one.”
Previously deployed in midfield, Duggan had found herself lining out at centre-half in recent weeks. This has been brought on as a result of some high-profile departures, but the 30-year-old is more than happy to fill a defensive gap.
“We were looking to nail down a centre-back partnership. Obviously we lost Claire Walsh in the middle of the season and Niamh Farrelly at the start of the season. Both gone playing professional with Glasgow City,” Duggan added.
“I guess I’m just back there as an experienced head and trying to close up shot a bit. Hopefully I won’t be there forever, but for the time being if that’s what the manager wants me to do, then obviously I’m happy to do that for the team.”