LAST UPDATE | 6 Aug
REPUBLIC OF IRELAND international Niamh Farrelly has re-signed for Peamount United after spells in England, Scotland and Italy.
It’s a major boost for the defending Women’s League of Ireland champions ahead of their European campaign.
Niamh Farrelly is back! ✍️🟢⚫️
— Peamount United Women (@PeamountWomen) August 6, 2024
We’re delighted to announce the signing of Niamh Farrelly! The Ireland international returns to the Peas after spells with Glasgow City, Parma and the London City Lionesses! 🤝 pic.twitter.com/HzvbLZGwRX
Peamount face Belarusian side FC Dinamo-BSUPC in their Champions League opener next month, while they are currently third in the domestic league behind Shelbourne and Athlone Town.
Farrelly, 25, rejoins Peamount from London City Lionesses in the English Championship. The Dublin defender initially departed for Glasgow City in early 2021, helping them to domestic league glory as she spent a season-and-a-half in Scotland.
She enjoyed a campaign a-piece at Parma and London City, though the four-cap international has lacked consistent minutes of late.
Farrelly has struggled with injury and will be hoping a move home will reinvigorate her career and catapult her back into the international frame.
Earlier today, the 2024 Sports Direct Women’s FAI Cup quarter-final draw was made.
Peamount watched from afar following their exit at the hands of Bohemians.
Defending champions Athlone Town travel to Treaty United while Shamrock Rovers and Shelbourne will go head-to-head in a mouthwatering last-eight battle. DLR Waves and Sligo Rovers will face off, while Cork City will host Bohs.
Meanwhile, Chelsea Noonan been appointed as assistant head coach of Birmingham City Women, joining a strong Irish contingent at the Championship outfit.
Blues Women are delighted to announce the appointment of Chelsea Noonan as Assistant Head Coach.
— Birmingham City Women (@BCFCWomen) August 6, 2024
Welcome to Blues, Chelsea! 💙
Noonan, 28, will work alongside manager Amy Merricks and technical director Hope Powell at Birmingham. Louise Quinn, Jamie Finn, Lucy Quinn and Lily Agg are the Irish international players on the books there.
Emily Simpkins, who previously played for the club, is the other assistant coach.
Cork native Noonan was most recently assistant head coach at A-League Women’s side Western United, spending a year at the Melbourne club. The former Ireland U17 coach and FAI development officer helped Western United to a third-place finish in the regular season and a play-off spot.
“We are delighted to be able to add Chelsea to our coaching team,” said Powell, the former England manager. “She joins having spent a very successful year in Australia with Western United.
“Her standards and values reflect that of what we have here at the Club, and we believe she will work effectively with Amy, Emily and the technical staff to help us achieve our ambitions moving forward.”
“I am really excited to welcome Chelsea to the Club,” Merricks added. “She brings with her a wealth of experience from the A-League Women where she supported the growth and development of Western United during her season there.
“She has also spent time working at youth level with Ireland, and I have no doubt that she will contribute to our ongoing progress and the foundations that we are putting in place.”
Megan Connolly is on the hunt for a new club, having announced her departure from Bristol City. The Cork midfielder spent a disappointing season at the Robins: she was captain as the WSL newcomers were relegated back to the Championship.
Also in recent days, Aoife Colvill has joined Standard Liège from Glasgow City. The Australian-born Irish international links up with Amber Barrett and Claire O’Riordan at the Belgian outfit.
2024 Sports Direct Women’s FAI Cup Quarter-Finals
- Cork City v Bohemians
- DLR Waves v Sligo Rovers
- Shamrock Rovers v Shelbourne
- Treaty United v Athlone Town.
