DLR Waves vs Whitehall Rangers
UCD Bowl, August 3rd
DLR Waves will be hoping to make good on cup magic in the 2024 edition of the Sports Direct Women’s FAI Cup. Last year Round 1 of the competition saw the Waves pull off a cupset and take a highly-fancied Wexford side to penalties, ultimately winning the shootout. The 2023 cup run would end in the Quarter-Finals for DLR with a narrow defeat against Shelbourne. For the past few seasons the aim has been to make good on the romance of the cup and get a step closer to the final in Tallaght Stadium, and this season The Waves will have dreams of playing in the decider in October with a chance at Silverware.
But first The Waves have to avoid being on the wrong end of the result against non-league Whitehall Rangers. While the romance of a cupset is part of the competition’s beauty, The Waves will be out to spoil the party against their dangerous non-league opponents who provide a potential dreaded banana skin at the UCD Bowl.
DLR Waves made the FAI Cup final in 2014, and under the guise of UCD Waves made it to the final in 2017. 7 years on if our club is to return to season finale of 2024, they’ll have to avoid an early stumbling block.
The Opposition View
Whitehall Rangers play in the EWFL Premier 1, they are currently top of the league with 6 wins from 6. Whitehall finished as runner-up of the FAI Women’s Amateur Cup.
WHITEHALL RANGERS RECENT RESULTS
28th July
FAI Women’s Amateur Cup Final
Terenure Rangers 2-1 Whitehall Rangers
22nd July
EWFL Premier 1
Whitehall Rangers 2-1 Cabinteely
17th July
EWFL Premier 1
Killester Donnycarney 0-2 Whitehall Rangers
7th July
FAI Women’s Amateur Cup Semi-Final
Whitehall Rangers 6-2 Ferns United
1st July
EWFL Challenge Cup Round of 16
Whitehall Rangers 7-2 Marks Celtic
While often times non-league sides offer a threat of the unknown, there will be a familiar face on the opposition side, with Jane McKevitt likely to start for the opposition, having previously played 2 seasons with The Waves.
DLR Waves Update
Cliodhna Donnelly (concussion) and Freya Roche (fractured foot) will both be unavailable for the match through injury,
Rugile Auskalnyte started all 3 of the All-Island Cup group stage games for DLR Waves and could start this first round cup tie.
We may also see the inclusion of new signing Leah Donnelly in the match day squad.
From the Camp
Looking ahead to the game manager Laura Heffernan had this to say:
It’s a big game for us, cup games are always special and we won’t be underestimating the challenge Whitehall will bring. They will be ready to put in a big performance so we have to be well prepared.
DLR Waves vs Whitehall Rangers Ticket Info
Tickets are available on the club Eventbrite page here. Adult tickets are priced at €11.70. Information on getting to the UCD Bowl is available here.
If you are unable to attend the game you can stream the match live on LOITV.ie where you can buy individual games or a half-season pass. Be sure to set your favourite team as DLR Waves!
