Ireland international holds coaching session in Ballyglass

Monday, July 1 is a date that the underage girls’ footballers of Ballyglass will never forget as that was the day that Manchester United and Republic of Ireland women’s international Aoife Mannion paid a visit to Michael Keavney Park.

What transpired was a cherished and unforgettable evening for the underage girls’ teams, as they were put through their paces by recent FA Cup winner Mannion and the girls listened intently to and grasped every ounce of information and guidance that the Manchester United and Ireland star had to offer.

Mannion has strong family ties with the West of Ireland, as her father is from Galway and her mum is from Mayo, whilst her uncle is former Mayo footballer Pat Kelly.

It was indeed a major coup for Ballyglass to have Mannion visit the club, with the club having only reintroduced its girl’s teams two and a half years ago.

Ballyglass PRO Deirdre Ryan explained to this reporter that the visit came about when Aoife was in Mayo on holidays.

“Aoife Mannion was in Mayo on holidays and it was her Aunt in Law that set the wheels in motion for the visit. The Ballyglass girl’s teams and their coaches were at the Republic of Ireland v Sweden Women’s European Championship qualifier at the Aviva Stadium back in May, and afterwards the players got to meet Aoife and she signed jerseys and autographs for the players and the girls were delighted to have met one of their heroes after the game”.

“The club (Ballyglass) received a phone call on Sunday night, June 30, saying that Aoife would like to meet the players and hold a training session for them the next day, and we were over the moon to hear such wonderful news”.

“Aoife’s Aunt in Law was involved with the club (Ballyglass) a number of years ago and it was great to have that contact to help organise things”.

“The training session involved players from 7 to eight year olds right through to our under-14 and under-16 teams. Aoife organised some individual training as well, and the session lasted approximately one hour and 45 minutes. Aoife was so helpful and offered encouragement to the players. It was also one of the players birthday on the day and she organised the ‘Happy Birthday’ song for the player, who will never forget that special moment”.

The players listened intently to whatever advice they were offered explained Deirdre.

“Aoife said that she was in the same boat as they were years ago when she started playing football with her local club, training and taking her water/juice drinks afterwards. Aoife offered them plenty of advice and afterwards signed autographs for the players as well as standing in for the cherished selfie. This visit to our club has built up an everlasting bond and friendship with Aoife Mannion, and no doubt our players will be watching her career continue to unfold for both Manchester United and the Republic of Ireland Women’s team”.

It was certainly a summer’s evening to cherish for the Ballyglass underage girl’s teams, and who knows, perhaps someday some of those same Ballyglass players will line out at Lansdowne Road to play for the Republic of Ireland.