Megan humbled to receive supporters’ award
MEGAN Campbell hasn’t kicked a football in more than six months but still managed to capture major silverware at the inaugural Confederation of Republic of Ireland Supporters Club Awards last Friday night.
The Drogheda native admitted she was shocked to be named as the Women’s Senior Player of the Year in the Ballsbridge Hotel, at a do attended by the likes of Martin O’Neill, James McClean, John O’Shea and Johnny Giles.
It’s another boost for the 24-year-old international who is stepping up her recovery after rupturing her anterior cruciate ligament during a Women’s Champions League match for Manchester City last November.
Clearly, her performances in the months before that both for club and country captured the hearts of Irish supporters as she beat off competition from fellow nominees Denise O’Sullivan and Harriet Scott to become one of the two chief award winners on the night, with McClean receiving the men’s accolade.
Giving her reaction, Megan told the Drogheda Independent: ‘I was honoured and humbled to have been chosen as I had been injured since just before the Netherlands game, and so for them to pick me was an absolute surprise to me.
‘It was a fantastic night and one that will hopefully continue yearly through help from the FAI in order to say thank you to the fans for all their continued support over the years.
‘Most recently, the record
crowd in Tallaght Stadium proved that the women’s game has improved and is finally being spoken about, but it’s now up to us as players to be able to pay it back and qualify for our first major tournament with their support.’
Megan was referring to the Republic’s ongoing World Cup qualifying campaign, with back-to-back games against Norway coming up this month before the final - and probably pivotal - group game at home to Northern Ireland.
She is aiming to be back playing with Manchester City in time to be considered for that crunch international match.
‘My rehab is going great,’ she said. ‘I am currently six months post op and running on grass again.
‘I have another way to go, but I am physically feeling great again and looking forward to being back on the pitch with the team again.
‘Pre-season starts the second week of July, but I will return to Manchester beforehand and work on my fitness so that I am closer to fitness before the girls return. I will hopefully be back in and training/playing fully with the team by late July/ early August.
‘My goal is to be fit and available to play with Ireland against Northern Ireland in the last qualifier on August 31st which could - depending on the double header with Norway next week - be crucial to us qualifying or getting a play-off spot for the upcoming World Cup in France 2019.’