
Red-hot striker Kelly Brady lands April player of the month award
The New York-born forward has been in sensational form in her debut season in the league, netting six goals from the opening seven games, helping to steer Town to the top of the table.
Brady was selected ahead of Shelbourne duo Mackenzie Anthony and Leah Doyle.
"I've hit the ground running," the 23-year-old said. "I have a great team to play with and the management too, it's been really fun so far and I'm making myself feel at home here.
"I try my best but it's all credit to my team-mates; they are giving me great passes. You look better when you're surrounded by great players.
"I just want to be a menace. I want to work hard, make things happen, do well for my team but ultimately score goals – that's what I'm here to do."
Brady, who scored six goals in as many games for the Ireland Women's Under-19s, hopes to catch the eye of Ireland manager Carla Ward and assistant head coach Alan Mahon as they continue to monitor players in the league.
"There is definitely a sense of encouragement knowing that someone (from the Ireland set-up) could be watching – even if it's from the TV but the fact that the coaching staff are going to games makes a difference," she said.

Try Our AI Features
Explore what Daily8 AI can do for you:
Comments
No comments yet...
Related Articles


Irish Daily Mirror
an hour ago
- Irish Daily Mirror
Shamrock Rovers missing key players through injury for Ballkani clash in Kosovo
Stephen Bradley is adamant Shamrock Rovers can reach another European League phase - by doing it the hard way. But the Hoops' cause in Kosovo on Thursday won't be helped by the absence of key figures from their will face Ballkani without Graham Burke, Jack Byrne, Matt Healy, Aaron McEneff and Trevor Clarke who all have injury Healy and Clarke are all registered in Rovers' squad that had to be submitted to UEFA for this tie, meaning they can feature in the home leg next week if Byrne and McEneff are not on the UEFA list, so they won't be available for the second-leg at Tallaght Bradley feels there is such strength in depth to his squad these days that the absence of those leading lights doesn't constitute an injury crisis. Their absence just opens the door for the likes of new midfielder Connor Malley - snapped up on loan from Sligo Rovers - who made his debut against Derry on Sunday. Click this link or scan the QR code to receive the latest League of Ireland news and top stories from the Irish Mirror. If you don't like our community, you can check out any time you like. If you're curious, you can read our Privacy Notice . Bradley said in Kosovo: 'They're top players and if it was the last game of the season and you're going for the league, or a cup final, I'm sure they would all be available. Aaron McEneff, seen here in action against St Joseph's of Gibraltar in the previous round, is out of Shamrock Rovers' European game in Kosovo (Image: ©INPHO/Ryan Byrne) 'But we're in a position that we've got a really good squad and everybody's ready to play, and we don't need to take silly risks with players.'Last year, we had to do that. We were forced into that because of the injury situation and, as a result, we kept re-injuring the players.'That's not fair on them or the group or the team and right now, we're in a place where the squad is healthy and everybody's looking to play.'We don't need to take chances with players that have niggles or who are borderline fit. We don't need to take those chances and sit on a plane for three-and-a-half hours.'Rovers want to get back to the Conference League league phase, having reached the playoff round in February only to lose on penalties to having missed out on the Premier Division title last season, they don't have the benefit of the 'champions path' in Europe, currently being enjoyed by this tie, and Rovers will be sent packing but Bradley feels the experience his team has gained in Europe will stand to said: 'We knew it was going to be hard but our aim is to get into the group phase, the league phase. Can we do it? Time will tell, but for now it's about getting ready for a tough tie and getting through that.'Shamrock Rovers defender Dan Cleary echoed Bradley, by insisting the players can rise to the challenge of securing another prolonged run in said: 'We don't have the champions path, so it's everything or nothing. Mentally, it's obviously different, but we're still doing the same thing. 'We want to win tonight, bring it back to Tallaght next week and take them on. We can't look too far ahead because it's a big game tonight and these are a good side.' Get the latest sports headlines straight to your inbox by signing up for free email .


Irish Examiner
2 hours ago
- Irish Examiner
Stephen Bradley says he 'doesn't need to take chances' with Rovers' Byrne and McEneff due to squad depth
Uefa Conference League, third round (first leg): Ballkani v Shamrock Rovers, Pristina — Thursday, 7.30pm Irish time. Stephen Bradley insists he can afford to avoid risking Jack Byrne and Aaron McEneff for this Conference League hurdle due to the depth of his Shamrock Rovers squad. The Premier Division leaders are in Kosovo for their first leg against Ballkani with a place in a playoff duel with either Larne or Portuguese outfit Santa Clara on the line. Bradley has in his armoury the most experienced squad in Ireland when it comes to European competition. Four Champions League campaigns on the spin accrued two years of entrance into the group stage, last year's breaking new ground by reaching the knockout stages. While they've began from a different start point, the target destination remains the same. Being seeded bolsters their prospects too but the fact Rovers have left behind an array of stars underlines confidence levels internally. They've also learned lessons from casualties during last year's campaign. Matt Healy, Graham Burke, Trevor Clarke, Aaron McEneff and Jack Byrne haven't travelled — the latter pair spared next Thursday's second leg too. Rovers' Jack Byrne will miss the first leg clash with Ballkani. File picture: Ryan Byrne/Inpho 'If this was the last game of the season to win the league or the FAI Cup final, I'm sure they would all be available to play,' explained the Hoops manager. 'But we're in a position that we've got a really good squad and everybody's ready to play. 'I think that's really important. Last year, we were forced into that because of the injury situation. And as a result, we kept re-injuring the players. 'We don't need to take those chances. Sitting on a plane for three-and-a-half hours, followed by a coach journey, won't help niggles.' That outlook heightens the possibility of new signing Conor Malley making his European debut. 'We saw from his performance against Derry City on Sunday why we tried really hard to sign him for a long time', said Bradley, referencing the weekend win that stretches their lead at the summit to 10 points with 10 games left. 'He slots right into what we do. I think there's so much more to come from him when he understands exactly what we do. But he's here for a reason because we think he's a top player. You'll definitely see Conor over the next few months play a big part in what we do.' Bradley wasn't accepting a draw as a desirable outcome ahead of their Tallaght return next Thursday, only evidence that they can maintain standards set in recent years. 'Not having the Champions Path this year, we knew it was going to be difficult but our aim is to get into the league phase again.'

The 42
2 hours ago
- The 42
Irish scrum-half Niall Armstrong swaps Exeter Chiefs for URC's Dragons
THE DRAGONS HAVE confirmed the signing of former Ulster academy scrum-half Niall Armstrong from Exeter Chiefs. Armstrong, 25, made his debut for the West-of-England club in September 2023 and went on to make 20 first-team appearances for the Chiefs across two seasons. Armstrong made just seven of those appearances last season, however, with an ankle injury hampering his progress. He has swapped Sandy Park for Rodney Parade in search of more first-team rugby. 🔏𝗟𝗢𝗖𝗞𝗘𝗗 𝗜𝗡 | Dragons are delighted to announce the signing of scrum-half Niall Armstrong who has joined ahead of the 🆕 season. 🏉 We are 'Over the Moon' that the Belfast-born half-back is a Dragon! 🐉#WeAreGwentRugby — Dragons RFC 🐉 (@dragonsrfc) August 6, 2025 Advertisement Armstrong won back-to-back Ulster Schools Cups with RBAI in 2016 and 2017 — where he was a teammate of Michael Lowry's — before joining the Ulster Rugby academy. After being cut loose by his native province, he went on to attend Exeter University at third level, captaining the college's first XV and winning two national intervarsity titles. At the Dragons, Armstrong will compete for scrum-half minutes with Wales international Rhodri Williams, Dragons academy graduates Che Hope and Morgan Lloyd, and Wales U20 Logan Franklin. 'I'm really excited to join the Dragons and embrace the opportunity to challenge myself in a new environment, playing rugby in Wales,' Armstrong said. 'The club has put together a strong, talented squad ahead of the new season, and I'm eager to play a key role in helping us achieve success on the field. 'The chance to compete in the United Rugby Championship and face top-level opposition is one I'm relishing. 'The hard work starts now with pre-season, and I'm really looking forward to meeting the supporters at Rodney Parade and proudly representing Gwent rugby.' Dragons head coach Filo Tiatia added: 'Niall is a talented and driven scrum half and we're already enjoying having him within the environment. 'I'm excited to see him kick on and take his opportunity with us over the upcoming season.'