Castlebar Celtic v DLR Waves, Celtic Park. Referee: Irma Mulvihill.
CASTLEBAR CELTIC will return to action for the first time since the tragic death of their coach and driving force Jeremy Dee in what promises to be a very emotional occasion at Celtic Park.
Coach John Morris-Burke has looked to keep up the momentum Dee had created and believes the players will be ready for their return to action.
“The girls have put in a big effort to refocus and will be determined to go out and produce a performance to mark Jeremy’s tragic passing with a victory,” said Morris-Burke.
“It has been a very emotional time for everybody at the club and Jeremy will be badly missed. He was an inspirational figure not just for Castlebar and Mayo but the entire province.”
James Murray is the club’s main sponsor through Murray Ambulance Services and he has been thrilled with the reaction of the club’s players and supporters in the aftermath of a harrowing time.
“Jeremy had organised a race night in December and we went ahead with it and the reaction was fantastic. The players and supporters are very keen to protect his legacy and ensure the team continues to grow,” he said.
“There will be a lot of emotion around Sunday’s game but there was a determination that the show must go on and the amount of effort everybody has put in has been fantastic.”
Leading scorer Emma Mullin is set to return from a broken bone in her foot while Rachel King continues to miss out through injury.
Raheny United v Shamrock Rovers, Morton Stadium. Referee: Paula Brady.
RAHENY UNITED’S new manager Sean Byrne will look to build on the work of predecessor Ger McDermott when he takes charge of the Northsiders for the first time on Sunday.
Byrne’s charges would go level on points with leaders Peamount United should they claim the victory and the new man at the helm recognises the quality in his squad.
“I know many of the players from the FAI Emerging Talent Programme and have watched Raheny several times so I was well aware of the quality that was already in the camp,” he said.
“Shamrock Rovers will be a tough test for us and have added to their coaching staff recently in Stephen Cregg so I’m sure they’ll be fired up for this game.”
Byrne started his playing career with Shamrock Rovers and played for Bray Wanderers, Limerick and Drogheda United in the Airtricity League.
International midfielder Ciara Grant is unavailable for this week’s game with Sinead O’Farrelly also struggling through injury.
Wexford Youths Women’s AFC v Cork Women’s FC, Ferrycarrig Park. Referee: Nicky Boland.
WEXFORD YOUTHS will look to keep the pressure on the top two when they return to action at Ferrycarrig Park but will not be taking Cork Women’s FC for granted as they lost at home to the same opposition last season.
“The first game after Christmas is always a tricky one and we got a lesson off Cork last year so will be looking to avoid a repeat,” said Peter Doyle.
“The squad is at full strength and we’ve trained well so we’re looking forward to this one.”