Mayo club soccer sensation nets brace as Ireland secure trophy

Mayo club soccer star Saoirse Reynolds capped off a memorable week representing Ireland as she netted a brace to power the Girls in Green to an international underage trophy.

The Sacred Heart, Westport student, and Westport United clubwoman has had a March that will live long in the memory of her, her friends, and her family.

On Wednesday, March 5, she was one of the heroes of the hour as her net-shaker helped propel Sacred Heart one step closer to Gaelic football glory in the All-Ireland A Junior semi-final.

Some two weeks later, she was in the goals once more in the final, helping the students on the shores of Clew Bay create history.

Reynolds didn’t have long to rest on her laurels, though, as she was soon setting off to link up with the Ireland Under-15 soccer side for the Tom Docherty Cup.

The talented baller was the sole representative in the squad, who are managed by former Sancta Louisburgh teacher Richard Berkeley.

Ballina Town goalkeeper and Saint Muredach's teacher Emmet Peyton was the goalkeeping coach for the tournament, which was run as a two-legged affair against the North.

The first game took place on Sunday, March 22, at the Newforge Sports Complex in Belfast.

Berkeley’s troops ran riot in Ulster, romping to a 6-0 victory in a game where Reynolds started and played 46 minutes before making way for Aoilbhe Galvin.

One week later, Reynolds was on the bench at the start of the game. She, as always, wasn’t content to watch on when it came to rattling the onion bag.

After coming in for Mia Whelan at the changeover, she squeezed past Ifeoma Aghola at the near post six minutes in, before heading in Galvin’s cross from six yards out to help their side to a second 6-0 win in as many games.

The deciding game in Home Farm FC would also prove to be the final game with Berkeley at the helm following his twelve-year association with the side.