The 2019 Women's National League proved a stand-out season for Peamount United’s attacking midfielder, Eleanor Ryan Doyle, as she was named on the team of the year, nominated for player of the season, while also receiving a call-up to the senior international side.
Ryan Doyle helped her side to win the league for the first time in seven years, capped off with a four-goal haul in the final outting of the campaign in an 8-1 win over Cork City.
So it is far from surprising to hear that the 22-year-old Dubliner did not want the season to end, especially as her final memory of the fine campaign proved to be a disappointing one, losing the FAI Cup final to Wexford Youths in November.
Yet with so much to look forward to in 2020 with Peamount set to defend their league title and plan for Champions League football, the coronavirus called a halt to the campaign before it had even began, and now finally, the 2019 champions get to kick-off their season as they take on Treaty United on Saturday.
"It’s been the longest pre-season in history, so we’re just excited that it is finally here," Ryan Doyle told RTE Sport, as the modified league campaign begins five months later than planned.
"We’re only playing each team once in the first phase, so every game will be like a cup final."
And while Peamount needed that vital victory on the final day to ensure the league title from Shelbourne who also impressed last season, Ryan Doyle believes this year’s campagin will be more competitive than in 2019.
"It is going to be closer than everyone expects. All the teams are going to be competitive as there are a lot of girls who have not gone back to America so they will be playing with their teams here, so we’ll have to take every game as it comes."
While Ryan Doyle expects a tougher season for her side, she also envisages more competition for places in the champions starting XI with the like of Stephanie Roche back plying here trade at her old club after spells abroad.
And the Peamount regulars also have to be wary of the next generation starting to push for places, as Ryan Doyle expects big things from some of the younger members of the squad, including the highly rated Sabdh Doyle.
"One that stands out is Sabdh Doyle, she is definely one to watch and the likes of Della Doherty, our Under-17 captain who is stepping up.
"It’s even more competitive to get into our team than it was last season with the likes of Stephanie (Roche) and Sabdh coming in and trying to grab their place as well."
And on to the first game of the season as Peamount face new side Treaty United who will feature a lot of the players who played for Limerick last season, including ex-Ireland international Marie Curtin.
"I think they will be a tough team to beat, as they have players who will stand up and fight for their team.
"People think we are going to walk in and beat them but it is going to be a challenge, especially in the first game of the season."
And looking ahead to the remainder of the season, Ryan Doyle has Champions League football to look forward to, while she also aims to get back involved with the senior international team, as well as eyeing up a move to England should the opportunity present itself.
In fact, Ryan Doyle believes the Covid-related delay to the Champions League will prove beneficial to her side as they aim to emulate previous glories by Peamount in Europe’s top competition.
"It’s better in overall terms that it has been pushed out a bit as we are not up to match fitness and we can now win a few games before we think of Champions League.
"Peamount got to the last 32 [in 2011] so we want to do that and hopefully get to the last 16, but we have to get through the group stages first.
"My goal this season is to get a call up but I know that I have to perform in the games. And I think if I got a chance [to go to England], I would really consider it. I have my degree now, which is something to fall back on.
"So if I get an offer, I would consider it, but I have to get an offer first."
