Champions League PREVIEW | Peamount United v Spartak Subotica | HerSport.ie

Flying the tricolour flag in the UEFA Women's Champions League is something that Peamount United are not taking for granted.
Ahead of their fourth European adventure, the Dublin club have reflected on exactly what it means to represent the SSE Airtricity Women's National League and women's football in the Republic of Ireland.
Certainly it is something that Peamount Manager James O'Callaghan could use as motivation as his team enter into the Qualifying Round on Wednesday against Serbian champions Spartak Subotica.
"Firstly, we want to give a good account of ourselves. We are champions of Ireland, so we are fully aware that we are representing our country, our League and our club," said O'Callaghan.

Next stop The Netherlands✈️ @UWCL @LoiWomen @mickoshea100 pic.twitter.com/DKTvdDR2J2

— Peamount Utd FC (@peamountutd) August 16, 2021

"The girls don't get a lot for winning our League, sure there is the prestige and the achievement that goes with it but they are not professional players, so the opportunity to represent Ireland in Europe is a huge honour."
Peamount failed to get past Glasgow City in their Qualifying Round game in last year's competition - even though they took that tie all the way to a penalty shoot-out - so they are keen to go again in Europe's top club competition.
On Wednesday, they will face Spartak Subotica in Enschede, Netherlands knowing that the winning team will then meet either FC Twente or Nike Tbilisi on Saturday afternoon.

Final preparations begin🟢⚫️@UWCL @LoiWomen @mickoshea100 pic.twitter.com/K8ICensf5F

— Peamount Utd FC (@peamountutd) August 17, 2021

UEFA have altered the format of the competition at the early stages with 15 different mini tournaments taking place in Round 1. If Peamount can get advance through that there will enter into Round 2, where the top-seeded teams lie in wait.
For O'Callaghan, there is no need to thumb his way through the rule book or plot potential future routes, because it is all about one game - which they must win.

"It's going to be a tough game. They (Spartak Subotica) have won their League 10 times, they are a professional team and have qualified from the group stages of the Champions League. So we are under no illusions how tough it will be," said O'Callaghan.
"Our League form is good, we have confidence and momentum, and we are halfway through our season, while they are just coming out of their pre-season so that might us an edge. We are really looking forward to it."
The only player unavailable to Peamount is forward Becky Watkins, but the recent signings of Chloe Moloney, Rebekah Carroll and Lauren Kelly provide squad depth at a crucial time.

Tiegan Ruddy during a @peamountutd media day at the FAI National Training Centre.

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— sportsfile (@sportsfile) August 12, 2021