Irish soccer star nominates Ballinrobe Town FC for funding
Mayo soccer star with strong Kilmaine links gives huge boost to Ballinrobe FC
Irish soccer star Aoife Mannion has given Ballinrobe Town FC a huge boost today by nominating the club to receive funding from the Sky WNT Fund. The Robesiders, where her younger cousins play, will receive €5,000 to support the development of women and girls’ soccer and help to nurture the next generation of soccer talent.
Alongside her international colleague, Anna Patten, Mannion split the €30,000 bursary which is aimed at empowering members of the Republic of Ireland Women's National Team in their academic, professional and career ambitions off the pitch.
Mannion, who has strong Kilmaine links, and Patten also split their award with two grassroots club close to their hearts, with Ballinrobe Town and Glenea United FC in Falcarragh, County Donegal, each receiving funding of €5,000 towards their work in their local communities.
Mannion will receive €10,000 towards her Master’s Degree in Women’s Football Club Management while Patten will receive €10,000, also towards her MSc in Women’s Football Club Management.
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.