Struggling Cork City welcome Peamount United in Women’s Premier Division 

Cork City Women will try and move off bottom of the Women’s Premier Division table by taking something from their meeting with Pemount United this Saturday at Turner’s Cross, 5pm.

Craig Robinson will be in charge of the team after the announcement that Frank Kelleher has officially stepped aside over health issues, with the search for a full-time replacement ongoing as the Rebel Army get ready for the run-in.

First up are Peamount United, who will play Cork City for the fourth time this season.

Emma Donohoe’s side have yet to be defeated in this fixture, with their record going back to Opening Day at Greenogue.

Peamount United followed that up at Turner’s Cross in April in the Avenir Sports All-Island Cup, and they visited again for the opening round of the Women’s FAI Cup.

That was the pick of the bunch from a local point of view as Eva Mangan and Fiana Bradley both scored to force extra-time, and Ruby Gallagher got the winner for the Dubliners at the Shed End.

City are a much changed side since then with seven new signings made over the summer, which includes the recent additions of Orlaith Deasy and Sadbh McGoldrick.

Aoife Cronin was recruited from Treaty United, and goalkeeper Katie Irwin followed her down from Limerick. 

Jodie Griffin moved to Turner’s Cross from Galway United, alongside former Wexford FC player Aine Walsh. 

Cliodhna Malone has also went south, from Munster rivals Waterford, and she has spent the majority of her time playing with the U19s under Barry Ryan and Aine O’Donovan.

They replaced an experienced group that was led by Kiera Sena, who was signed by FA Women’s Super League 2 side Southampton. Fiana Bradley moved to Waterford FC for a second stint with the Blues, and Galway United brought in Niamh Cotter and Aoibhín Donnelly.

Those that remain are tasked with moving up the table in the Women’s Premier Division, and avoiding a second basement finish in three seasons.

City could see a source of points on Saturday if they get things right against a lukewarm Peamount side that has been struggling for form of late.

Their summer has been up and down, with the nadir being a three match losing streak that involved defeats to DLR Waves and Shelbourne, and Wexford in the quarter finals of the Avenir Sports All Island Cup.

Peamount were in action against Athlone Town last week in the quarter finals of the Women’s FAI Cup and Aoife O’Connor got the winner for the reigning Premier Division champions with a sublime strike midway through the first half.

The Dubliners are now coming to Turner’s Cross with a point to prove, with a squad that includes former Cork City player Amanda Budden.

That means a reunion of sorts, in a game involving two clubs desperate for some sort of result during the run-in.

This will mean everything to City, as they battle to avoid a second basement finish in three seasons.