First National league team
FIRST HOME GAME THIS SATURDAY.
IT’S been a long time coming, but the Women’s Under 17 National League is finally underway, with the Bit O’Red women pitting their wits against some of the country’s finest football teams.
For girls in the region, this is about more than just playing football. They are finally being given the same opportunity as their male counter-parts.
This Saturday, they host their first home game, where they will take on Galway WFC at The Showgrounds, with the FIFA Live Your Goals festival also rolling into town.
Rovers will then return to their base at IT Sligo for the remaining home fixtures against Donegal Women’s League, Athlone, Town, Shelbourne Ladies and Peamount.
Collooney’s Erin Taheny says this is big step-up for all involved, but it is a challenge the Bit O’Red are looking forward to.
“Obviously I’m very excited for the season ahead. It’s something different, it’s a step up. It’s great to have something to look towards. I’m a bit nervous because it is a massive step-up compared to Sligo/Leitrim and Gaynor Cup. It’s a new group of girls and it’s good to get to know them. I think we’ve really bonded as a team.”
Erin is a sister of Ross Taheny who came through the Rovers underage team, who now plies his trade with Ballinamallard United in Fermanagh. It is important to her that she is now getting the same opportunities as her older brother had.
“I remember going to all of Ross’ matches when he was with the Rovers underage squads and it’s great to have that opportunity now, having seen how far he’s gone and how much he has enjoyed it. I just want that opportunity as well. We play in the same position. I always ask him and he tells me whether I’ve had a good game or a bad game and where I can improve. It’s good to have him as a role model.”
For Erin, being able to play at this level without having to leave Sligo is a huge bonus.
“I do other sports as well, it’s handy that I don’t have to be on the road the whole time travelling somewhere to play. It’s a big commitment, we’re in two nights a week and then a match at the weekend.”
Ballymote’s Aife Haran said: “I’m really looking forward to it. It will be good for us to play against other good teams. I think it will bring us on as players. Training’s been really good, it’s been really intense which is good for us. It’s nice and for girls coming up it’s really good.”
Abbiegayle Ronayne, one of the many Mayo girls involved in the squad, said: “I think it’s all about development because getting to play games with the best, you’re developing every game and you’re getting better as an individual and as a team.
“Sligo Rovers made a name for themselves with the men’s league and we’re kind of hoping to make a name for the women’s league and soon move up to seniors.
“We’re trying to develop a style of play, we’re concentrating on playing out from the back. We want to have a different style of play to what is played around the league.”
Grainne O’Neill says it is great to be able to represent a club like Sligo Rovers: “It should be good. It’s nice to be playing at national league level and I have new team-mates as well so it should be good.
“Because unfortunately Mayo weren’t able to cater for a national league team it is nice to get the opportunity. It’s only less than an hour up the road. To represent Sligo, it has a great name as a club so it is an honour to play for the club.
“There’s ten of us coming from Mayo. That shows this isn’t just Sligo, Sligo Rovers is Sligo and Mayo and even further afield.”
It’s been a long road for the Swinford native who suffered an ACL injury in 2015. She is delighted to now be back in action and playing at this level.
“Yeah I did my ACL in November 2015. It’s been a long road but it’s nice to finally come back to a good standard of football.”
Leagh Byrne told The Sligo Champion: “People from the west are really being given a chance with this Sligo Rovers team, especially against the big Dublin teams. I knew most of the girls from Castlebar Celtic and I would have played against some of them in the Mayo League.”