Ex-GAA star adds Australian soccer title to ridiculous multi-sport CV that also features AFLW stint
SARAH Rowe has helped her soccer team in Australia to clinch the A-League title for the first time in the club's history.
The 29-year-old
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Rowe was only signed by head coach Emily Husband in December
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As indicated by her sunglasses, they were not fancied to win their Grand Final match-up
Credit: @sarahrowe123
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Bianca Galic was the hero as she slotted home the winning penalty
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She first made inroads in Australian sport in the AFLW with the Collingwood Magpies
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But she has been primarily living Down Under since around 2018 when she first embarked on a career in Aussie Rules with Collingwood.
The Ballina native lined out for them until 2023 whereupon she switched to another sport altogether in soccer.
Not that she didn't boast serious pedigree in the beautiful game prior to then though as she
She even earned a senior cap in 2015 before making ladies football her priority for the next few years.
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2023 saw her split her time between playing for Melbourne Victory
But she has been solely concentrating on the Central Coast Mariners since joining them in 2024.
And early on Sunday morning Irish time, they triumphed in the A-League's Grand Final via a penalty shootout after extra-time had failed to produce a winner.
Rowe started the match at right-back with it having additional emotional weight since it came against her old club whom she had left in favour of the Mariners in December.
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Upon making the switch, Rowe underlined her excitement at the prospect of fully throwing herself into soccer again.
She emphasized: 'I'm so excited to be here on the Central Coast and to be joining the Mariners.
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"Speaking to (head coach) Emily Husband, she is a major reason why I decided that the Mariners is the right place for me.
"Doing a lot of research on her before coming here, I love the way that she sets up the team to play and her style of coaching.
'It was also really appealing to me that the Central Coast are quite a new team with some exciting young players.
"I want to come in and try and add something to this team and club and bring some further experience.
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Battling Sara D'Appolonia of Melbourne Victory in the A-League Women's Grand Final which was held at AAMI Park in Melbourne
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During one of her last appearances for Mayo in August 2021
'I can't wait to set foot out on this pitch and play in front of our fans.
"I have missed playing football, I can't wait to put on the Yellow and Navy and play again.'
In the same press briefing Husband hailed: 'It is fantastic to have someone of Sarah's experience both on and off the field and I think it will really help push the team forward this season.
'She has a brilliant work ethic so we know on the field she will work really hard and do everything that we need and has strong leadership qualities as well.
'Sarah is another player that we have who is strong and tough in defence, can deliver a great ball and is also hugely athletic. It is great to have her on the team.'
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