Peamount United's Erin McLaughlin has undoubtedly become one of the most recognisable names in the Women’s National League (WNL) over the past two seasons.
While the 20-year-old Ireland international just missed out on the 2023 FIFA World Cup, McLaughlin played a role in Ireland’s undefeated Nations League campaign. This secured promotion to League A for Ireland ahead of qualifying for the Euros in 2025.
Congratulations to Erin McLaughlin, who has been included in the latest Ireland squad for their upcoming UEFA Nations League matches! 🇮🇪🙌 pic.twitter.com/2MgGQIAY8X
— Peamount Utd FC (@peamountutdfc) October 18, 2023
McLaughlin won three caps for Ireland last year and was included in Vera Pawu's 31 woman extended training squad ahead of a group of friendlies in preparation for the tournament.
Though she wasn't in the final squad for Australia, the Donegal midfielder established herself in Eileen Gleeson's Nations League squads last autumn and was involved in Ireland's hard-fought victory in the deluge in Albania. Despite the harsh conditions, McLaughlin prospered and performed resiliently as the match went on.
McLaughlin spoke to Balls.ie during a Women’s National League media launch event ahead of the 2024 season and spoke of Ireland's winning mentality over the past few months.
“I think 6 out of 6 wins, it doesn’t really get much better than that. So when you’re in that winning mentality it’s hard to get out of it, you want to keep winning and I think that is going to stand to the girls this year in 2024, although we are obviously going to be up against harder competition now that we’re in League A and it really stands us to keep pushing. It’s just we know what it’s like to win and we don’t want to lose that mentality.”
Judging by her experience on the international stage, McLaughlin will no doubt use her expertise on the pitch to succeed with her team this WNL season.
The Peamount way
Peamount United - who will be defending their title when the season kicks off on March 9 - remains an incubator for Ireland international talent. This includes Freya Healy, 16 and Ellen Dolan, 17, who were the latest players to make their debut for Ireland’s senior squad, as well as 17-year-old Jess Fitzgerald, won the Women's LOI Premier Division Player of the Month award for August and September of 2023.
So what is it about the club that makes it so attractive to the senior national team? McLaughlin credits the clubs culture.
“I’m not sure if Peamount makes it really attractive (to the Ireland senior squad), it’s just we’re all in there, we’re training so hard, we’ve got fantastic players, the young players that are coming up. Ellen, Freya, Jess, they all proved this year they’re good enough for senior football and then obviously Ellen and Freya get called up into the senior camp then they prove they’re good enough for that step as well.”
“I think overall Peamount just creates a brilliant atmosphere for us to train in. It helps us grow as players and also as individuals and it gives us that confidence to play better and to show what we can do and then the rewards come as well.”
With the winter transfer window coming to a close, several Irish players made the move to new sides. This includes McLaughlin's former teammate 18-year-old Tara O’Hanlon who sealed a huge move to Women's Super League (WSL) side, Manchester City just before the window closed.
Everyone at Peamount United would like to wish Tara O’Hanlon the very best of luck as she joins Manchester City in the Women’s Super League! Tara has been an exceptional player for the Peas over a number of years and we wish her well with this exciting new chapter in England 🤝 pic.twitter.com/Zj6C2mGzhg
— Peamount United Women (@PeamountWomen) January 31, 2024
McLaughlin says she hopes to follow O'Hanlon's footsteps over to England.
“That’s always been a huge aspiration of mine, I’ve always wanted to to play football pro”, she said on her ambition to join the WSL, adding “plan A was to get my degree and to go from there so yeah, I’m nearly there now and I think in the future I’d love to go play in the WSL for sure.”
Looking at her career trajectory last year, it is clear that McLaughlin has a bright future in her sights. She and her teammates will be gearing up to face current WNL title holders, Athlone Town who won the competition against Shelbourne last November, in the President's Cup.
