The Republic of Ireland’s 7-0 victory over Gibraltar was played out before a lively crowd at the Aviva Stadium on Saturday. Optimism over making it through in the top two of the group may have been tempered by Poland’s 2-0 win over World Champions Germany but another result from the weekend soccer programme showed that everything is possible.
On Sunday afternoon UCD Waves travelled to Peamount United perhaps fearful of their recent record against one of the two team that has dominated Women’s soccer in recent years.
In April 2013, playing in their first season in the top flight, Waves lost 10-1 to Peamount. Since then a partnership with UCD has breathed extra confidence and in three weeks they will line out for their first ever Continental Tyres Women’s FAI Cup final at the Aviva Stadium.
Still, none of that could have prepared them or their rivals for what happened next.
The final score from yesterday’s game was Peamount United 3, UCD Waves 14. This was as big a shock as any other in Irish sport this year.
No fewer than eight individual players got their names on the scoresheet and the side now sit clear at the top of the table with a positive goal difference of 17 after only four games.
This could be the sporting story of the year. It certainly goes to prove that the right approach can turn things around in spectacular fashion.
