Match Report: Blues 0 Peamount United 1

The Blues came up a little bit short in a tight affair against one of the powerhouses of Irish football with Peamount United emerging 1-0 winners at the RSC on Saturday. Ironically, it was a local, Piltown’s Karen Duggan, who eventually broke the home side’s resistance midway through the second half.

This debut season is all about gaining a foothold in the Premier Division and gathering experience and this game, played in intense heat, was another perfect example of that. Waterford hung in there and the result was in the balance until the end, but, ultimately, Peamount’s superior resources and experience saw them edge it and earn all three points.  

Waterford lost Olivia Gibson before the season started and then Lauren Egbuloniu tore her ACL half an hour into the opening game. Dan Burke, Chloe Atkinson and club captain Danielle Griffin are all huge absences through injury too. It has really tested the depth of Gary Hunt’s squad, but numerous academy players have stepped up and been very impressive. Young substitutes Keira Burke and Issy Walsh looked promising today to add to the contributions of Cliona Kearney, Stephanie Dumevi, Zara Corcoran and Sophie Moran in recent weeks. 

 

Maeve goes up for a last-gasp corner

 

Meanwhile, Peamount have had a very up-and-down season to date, but they have a spine of real talent in their team. The vastly-experienced Karen Duggan pulled the strings throughout the game and I’m not sure if she misplaced a single pass. Ireland international Amanda Budden was never troubled in goal with the exceptional pairing of Mary Phillips and Chloe Moloney in front of her. Manager Emma Donohoe could spring the attacking threat of Becky Watkins and Croatian international Antea Guvo from the bench to chase the winning goal. Waterford don’t have those resources, but they stick to their task impressively and the rewards will come in the not-too-distant future.

United had two early shots off target before Maeve Williams was forced into three stunning saves in the space of five minutes. The first, in the 14th minute, was a sublime, leaping, one-handed save to her right from a shot by Ruby Gallagher. Sixty seconds later, she pushed a Sadhbh Doyle strike away for another corner with two strong hands. Jessica Fitzgerald squandered another Peas’ chance by hitting the side-netting and then Williams showed her agility to save brilliantly low to her left when Duggan surely thought she had scored.

The Blues weathered that storm and showed glimpses of promise. Mia Lenihan made a great run up the left wing and won a first corner for the home side, but Phillips cleared. Lenihan delivered two good free kicks into the box from distance, but the visitors were equal to them again. At the other end, both Duggan and Moloney headed good opportunities over the bar and Williams had to be alert to hold Doyle’s shot from a quickly-worked free kick. Waterford would certainly have been pleased to make the half-time whistle without conceding and looked to have every chance of taking at least a point from the encounter.

The league champions of 2023 came out flying for the second half with Doyle blasting a shot off the outside of the post within two minutes and Sophie Slattery using her strength to cut out another dangerous attack from the same player. But again, the Blues were hanging in there and frustrating the Dubliners. Jess Lawler put in endless blocks and challenges having switched to right back with Zoey Croke making her first start on the left and Erin O’Brien continued her incredible work-rate up front and will have the bruises to prove her effort.

 

Peas work a short free kick routine

 

It took until the 69th minute for the dam to burst and it was a fortuitous goal for Peamount, though admittedly no more than they deserved. Sadhbh Doyle shot across goal, Williams saved low, but the ball popped up for Duggan to bundle in from close range. Waterford really went for it in the last ten minutes to try to conjure up an equaliser, but never really came close and didn’t threaten Budden’s goal at any point of the game. It wasn’t for lack of trying though and the last throw of the dice saw goalkeeper Williams go up for a 95th minute corner. Olivia Shannon, always a strong aerial threat, received a push in the back, but not enough to interest referee Robert Dowling who blew the long whistle moments later.

I hope the team keep faith because they really are not far off and I have no doubt they will get stronger as the season progresses. Most teams they face have several international stars and a core who have played together for years. The Blues just need a little extra and the return of injured players will help a lot. Patience is key because the ingredients are there for this to be an extremely exciting team in the coming years. 

They take a break from league action now, but there are two intriguing All-Island Cup games next at the RSC with Glentoran the visitors next Saturday, followed by Athlone Town two weeks later. They should be great occasions and home support can make all the difference. These Blues are ready for a breakthrough.

Maeve Williams; Jess Lawler (Sophie Moran, 80), Lauren Walsh, Stephanie Dumevi, Zoey Croke (Keira Burke, 55); Aoibh Thomas (Issy Walsh, 80), Sophie Slattery; Cliona Kearney, Olivia Shannon, Mia Lenihan (Zara Corcoran, 87); Erin O’Brien.