Ireland stars share €30,000 Sky WNT Fund with grassroots clubs
Republic of Ireland defenders back their future careers while nominating local clubs in Mayo and Donegal to receive €5,000 each.
Sky has announced Republic of Ireland WNT (Women’s National Team) defenders Aoife Mannion and Anna Patten as the recipients of the Sky WNT Fund 2026 – an annual bursary of €30,000, established to empower members of the Republic of Ireland Women's National Team in their academic, professional and career ambitions off the pitch.
Mannion and Patten will also split their award with two grassroots clubs close to their hearts, with Ballinrobe Town FC, in Co. Mayo, and Glenea United FC in Falcarragh, Co. Donegal, each receiving funding of €5,000 towards their work in their local communities, supporting the development of women and girls’ football and helping to nurture the next generation of footballing talent.
Aoife Mannion will receive €10,000 towards her Master’s Degree in Women’s Football Club Management. Aoife nominated Ballinrobe Town FC to receive €5,000 – a club where her younger cousins play.
Anna Patten will receive €10,000, also towards her MSc in Women’s Football Club Management. Anna nominated Glenea United FC, the local club in Falcarragh – a place she spent many summers with her relatives when she was younger - to receive €5,000.
Speaking about the Sky WNT Fund, Sky Ireland’s Director of Marketing and Brand, Caroline Donnellan said:
“It’s a real privilege to see the ambition Aoife and Anna are showing, both in their football careers and in planning for the future.
"We’re delighted that the Sky WNT Fund can support their next steps, while also giving them the opportunity to recognise Ballinrobe Town and Glenea United – two grassroots clubs with strong personal connections for both players.
“Those local clubs are where many football dreams begin, and we hope this funding will help them continue their brilliant work developing women’s and girls’ football in their communities.
"On behalf of everyone at Sky, I’m delighted to congratulate Aoife and Anna on this very well-deserved recognition and we wish the whole squad well ahead of our play-off final against Poland.”
In its fifth year, the €30,000 Sky WNT Fund is a bursary open to all current Republic of Ireland Women’s National Team squad players, designed to support players’ academic, professional and post football career ambitions.
The Fund was established in 2021 in partnership with the Football Association of Ireland (FAI) and, to date, has benefitted 21 senior international players. The winners were selected by a judging panel featuring Sky Ireland’s Marketing & Brand Director, Caroline Donnellan; sports journalist Cliona Foley; and Lizzy Kent, Head of Women and Girls Football at the FAI.
The WNT players who entered were asked to submit a short video to the judging panel, outlining their career or education goals, how the funding would be used, and why they chose their nominated grassroots club.
Both Mannion and Patten played in Tuesday’s 4-0 win over Kazakhstan (12-0 on aggregate) in their 2027 FIFA Women's World Cup Qualifying play-off semi-final and Ireland will now take on Poland over two legs on 1st and 5th December for a place in next year’s World Cup in Brazil.
