League of Ireland winner thanks Offaly club for her progress

Athlone Town FC League of Ireland title-winner Emma Mooney has paid tribute to the Offaly club that helped her progress to the top of the game in the country.

Mooney, who is currently in-camp with the Republic of Ireland U19 squad, came through the ranks at Killeigh FC before moving to the League of Ireland.

And speaking to the Offaly Independent after her team received the league trophy after a recent scoreless draw against Galway Utd, she thanked everyone who helped her at Killeigh.

“Killeigh is such a good club and does brilliant work in girls' football. The most important I did there was have fun. That's what they always encouraged us to do. To be honest, the only way I was going to leave Killeigh was to play in the League of Ireland,” she said.

“Killeigh is such a positive club and the coaches were great. They helped me so much and I thank them for that. Hopefully, other young players at the club see that playing with Killeigh can lead to a clear pathway into the League of Ireland. That's important for young players who aspire to do well,” Mooney added.

The Offaly starlet was a star performer this season at the heart of both Athlone's defence and midfield, and was joined in the Athlone squad by Birr native Isabel Ryan, who tore many defences apart from the right wing in a successful season.

Both players had the privilege of working under the Athlone manager Lily Agg, who has represented Ireland at senior level on 22 occasions.

Mooney said: “Lily has been so good for us. She understands the game so well and understands us as a group of players. She has been there herself and knows what it takes to succeed. It is also great for the League of Ireland to have a female manager and doing so well.”

As for her own playing future, Mooney said she remains 'very happy' with Athlone Town FC.

“You don't really know what will happen in football but hopefully I will be staying with Athlone. It's a club I really love and it's close to home in Offaly. But I guess nothing is written in stone and we have to wait and see,” she said.