ELLEN IS A SPECIAL TALENT BUT I HOPE SHE GETS TIME TO DEVELOP

REPUBLIC OF IRELAND newcomer Ellen Molloy is a star in the making.

But the Wexford Youths sensation has been urged to stay in the Women’s National League for another couple of years to learn the ropes.

Molloy, 16, was such an underage talent for the Girls in Green she was fast-tracked into Vera Pauw’s senior team.

And she made her debut off the bench in October’s costly draw in Ukraine before another cameo against Germany in December.

After a debut season to remember, Kilkenny girl Molloy was crowned Women’s National League Young Player of the Season in 2020. And Wexford Youths skipper Kylie Murphy said: “She’s something special. There are amazing players in the league but every now and again you come across THE player.

“She’s a great kid with a great attitude. She has such a willingness to learn and grow, which is amazing.

“And for a kid with so much talent, she’s just so grounded. That’s what I probably love the most about her.”

Murphy continued: “You’ll see by her reaction after she scores that she nearly gets a bit shy. She goes into herself while we’re all running at her, screaming, lifting her up.

“She’s an amazing young kid with a really bright future ahead of her.”

The league stalwart is urging the teenager to serve her time in the domestic game before seeking a full-time move elsewhere

“She still has an awful lot of learning to do. I’m always fearful that players with such talent are not pushed too quickly. But she literally has it all.”

Murphy was speaking after Energia announced a new three-year sponsorship with Wexford Youths.

The deal covers the €500 annual membership fees of each player on the women’s senior squad, over a three-year period.

Murphy added: “It’s one of the biggest steps for the women’s game that I’ve seen in a long time.”

EVERTON