Shelbourne are in Lithuania this week to compete in the UEFA Women’s Champions League where they face Glasgow City with the winner playing either Gintra or Cardiff City.
The Round One ties kick off on Wednesday, September 6 with the SSE Airtricity Women’s Premier Division champions kicking off at 10am. The game will be played at the Siauliai central stadium - Šiauliai.
There is no doubt that Shelbourne won’t be up for this one, with confidence and belief all necessary to come away with the win. Currently sitting second in the League Table this year just behind Peamount United, Noel King's side have no shortage in experience and talent. They like to keep possession and play out from the back, so it will be interesting to see how they’ll set up for this encounter.
Star midfielder Alex Kavanagh has made a name for herself that King just can’t leave out of the starting eleven. With precise passing and an eye for goal from long distance, Kavanagh could be the difference maker. The Red’s main striker Jemma Quinn has no shortage of confidence which is exactly what you want in a forward. She has experience, a level head, and can pop up just when you need her. 18 year old forward Katie McCarn has been called up from the Under-19’s side to travel with the team. She has that no fear attitude and is capped at underage level. The young Meath woman is the perfect person to come off of the bench and make a difference when it is needed.
Glasgow City are a well-known team in Scottish women’s football and in this competition. Former Reds players have featured for them in the past - Noelle Murray is one example.
Emily Whelan, a former Shelbourne academy graduate, is a name that will be well-known around Shelbourne’s camp, as well as ex-Peamount United defender Claire Walsh.
They are defensively hard to break down, having only conceded two goals in their first five games of the new season, where they currently sit top of the Scottish Women’s Premier League. They are current Champions as well, in the sense that they know how to win a game.
HOW TO WATCH
There is a live stream available for the cost of €5. Click here to access the stream
FIXTURES
UEFA Women’s Champions League Qualifiers – Round 1
Group 8
Wednesday, September 6
Glasgow City v Shelbourne (KO 10:00)
Gintra v Cardiff City (KO 16:00)
Saturday, September 9
Third-place match (KO 10:00)
Final (KO 16:00)
SQUAD
Goalkeepers: Courtney Maguire, Amanda McQuillan
Defenders: Keeva Keenan, Maggie Pierce, Pearl Slattery, Leah Riley, Lucy O'Rourke, Catherine Graversen, Taylor White, Leah Doyle
Midfielders: Alex Kavanagh, Rachel Graham, Megan Smyth-Lynch, Kerri Letmon, Sophie Watters, Nadine Clare, Hannah Healy, Elizabeth Moore, Kate O'Dowd
Forwards: Noelle Murray, Jemma Quinn, Christie Gray, Rebecca Devereux, Morgan Rees, Natasha Shirazi, Katie McCarn
