Powerhouse Peamount eye another cup double
From the outside looking in, the Dublin club are a powerhouse in women’s football that churns out champions as efficiently as a production line in one of the retail sectors busiest factories.
Everything, though, stems from development. Peamount don’t just ship in ready-made players, they take time to craft a winning mentality through hours of detailed coaching and unswerving dedication.
To turn up at their base in Greenogue, one would discover a modest training set-up but it is the work done on the pitches that matters most. Sure they have won plenty of trophies but the real joy is felt during 90 minutes of action.
It is why Robbie Mulligan signed up to take over as manager of the senior team, who compete in the Continental Tyres Women’s National League. He was warned that expectations would be high, but that’s how he likes it.
Today, Mulligan will lead his team into the WNL League Cup final against Raheny United three hours after his club’s Under 16 side meet Salthill Devon in the FAI Umbro Women’s Cup final. Two finals, two Peamount teams involved.
“It’s a great day for the club all around and a clear sign to show what we’re trying to do, which is to develop players. The girl’s game is growing in the country and we want to remain part of that,” said Mulligan.
“Our Under 16’s team have already won the Leinster Cup, so they are hoping to complete the double on the weekend. And our senior team has done brilliant considering the changes in management that have gone on.
“Silverware is ultimately what players are competing for, but for management and the club it is for our players to play for the senior team, gone on to represent their country, and to be successul while playing good football.”
Winners of the inaugural Women’s National League, Peamount have been a standard-bearer of the women’s game (along with Raheny) in recent years and today’s final appearance is their third in the last four years, which is highly impressive.
Scan through any of the recent Republic of Ireland women’s squads and you are likely to find several players with links to Peamount – from Louise Quinn, Aine O’Gorman, and through to Karen Duggan.
Of course, there is also Stephanie Roche. How could one forget the global superstar who finished runner-up in the FIFA Puskas Award? Sure she was in Peamount colours when she scored THAT memorable goal against Wexford Youths that became a YouTube sensation.
Peamount, though, are not content to bask in their recent successes and dine out on Roche’s fame. They want more and that thirst for glory has seen them unearth new stars in Eleanor Ryan-Doyle and Lucy McCartan, who helped the Ireland Under 17’s qualify for this summer’s European Championships.
However, they are not without competition as Raheny, UCD Waves, and Shelbourne have all been making notable strides in the area of youth development. They too want to win trophies and supply the national teams with a stream of players. So the pressure is on for Peamount.
“The competition is fiercely competitive in Dublin for players. We hope that the prestige of playing for Peamount attracts players, but also that we have a history of developing good players,” said Mulligan.
“Despite the level of competiton, we feel that we are doing the right work off the pitch and that translates to our success on the pitch. It’s a mark of our success that we’re back in finals year after year, but we’re always looking to improve.”
FAI Umbro Women’s U16 Cup final: Peamount United v Salthill Devon, Tolka Park, KO 1.30pm
Continental Tyres WNL Cup final: Peamount United v Raheny United, Tolka Park, KO 4.30pm
CONNECT WITH US TODAY
Be the first to know the latest news and updates
