“If we have things we need to improve on, they’ll be highlighted in a game like this” – Duggan
By Daire Walsh
IT MAY be the clash of the current frontrunners in the Women’s National League, but Peamount United midfielder Karen Duggan insists their meeting with champions Shelbourne at Tolka Park on Saturday (kick-off 2pm) won’t be a do-or-die affair.
Following their 1-1 draw with Bohemians at PLR Park in Greenogue last weekend, James O’Callaghan’s Peas find themselves two points adrift of Shels in the WNL standings.
The Drumcondra side had their own recent slip-up away to DLR Waves, however, and Duggan feels this is indicative of the standard to be found in this year’s competition.
“It [Peamount v Shels] has been a big one for the last few years. We’ve both been competing for the title,” Duggan told The Echo. “It’s definitely one that you look out for, but I think that recent results, both of us dropping points, has shown that it’s not the only game in town.
“It’s not going to be the defining game of the season this weekend because we’re still so early in the league. It is good in terms of getting a good crowd into Tolka and local bragging rights is always important as well.”
While the Shels and Peamount squads have changed to a considerable degree in the past 12 months, there is an abundance of quality to be found within both ranks.
Despite having already played the remaining teams in the league, Duggan believes Peamount will learn a lot about themselves on Saturday.
“We know what a good team they are, especially at home. They’ve got a really fantastic fan base. It can be quite an intimidating place to go, Tolka Park, but we’re looking forward to it.
“I think it will tell us where we are at this point in the season and if we have things that we need to improve on, they’ll be highlighted in a game like this.
“It’s a good game to get and it’s good that we get the chance to play each other two more times after that. Because they’re always good games.”
Given their sole reversal to date was originally played out as a 6-0 win against Sligo Rovers before being later reversed into a 3-0 loss due to an issue over player registration, last Saturday’s encounter with Bohs represented the first time the Newcastle club have dropped points on the field of play in the current campaign.
Although Stephanie Roche’s second half penalty ensured Peamount came away with something to show for their efforts, Duggan acknowledged a much better performance will be needed against the high-flying Shels.
“We need to improve everything from the Bohs game. Bohs were really organised and they played really well, but we were all very disappointed in how we played. From back to front, I think there is room for improvement,” Duggan added.
“We need to put what happened at the weekend to bed. We need to address it. There is definitely room for improvement and we’re going to have to improve if we’ve any chance of getting a result against Shels at the weekend.”