Latest news with #KellyBrady
The 42
a day ago
- Sport
- The 42
US-born Athlone star set for European 'dream' as she targets Ireland call-up
ATHLONE TOWN STRIKER Kelly Brady has made no secret of her Republic of Ireland senior ambitions. The New Yorker previously represented the Ireland U19s, and has been lighting up the Women's Premier Division this season, scoring 10 goals. Her debut campaign on these shores now hits new heights in the Uefa Women's Champions League, as Athlone host Cardiff City in the first qualifying round tonight. While detailing what drew her to the Midlanders on a Zoom call this week, one sentence stood out: 'I knew it would bring me closer to hopefully being in the draw for the Irish team.' Brady also spoke about being close to her Irish roots, and hearing about the league from Shelbourne duo Roma McLaughlin and Amanda McQuillan while playing together at Central Connecticut State University, but her international aspirations are clear. 'No word directly from Carla Ward yet, hopefully soon,' she tells The 42, but reveals words of encouragement from the Irish camp as she was named Women's Premier Division Player of the Month for April. Hopeful she's on the radar for the Girls In Green, tonight's European tie is a perfect chance to impress. Advertisement Brady emerged as a doubt after picking up a knock last week, but assures she's '150%' ready. And won't be too hard on herself ahead of this shop window opportunity. 'I try not to put too much pressure on myself, especially as a forward, you just want to go out there and play well and hope the goals will come then. But added pressure, not really. 'I'll give my 100% and hopefully the results will come.' Playing in the Champions League is a dream come true. 'I mean, of course, just the name itself . . . the names like Chelsea and Arsenal, all those big teams that are playing in this league. It's a dream. As a little kid, those are the teams that you want to one day go and play for. 'I've gotten a few funny questions like, 'Oh are you guys going to be playing Chelsea or Arsenal?' No, obviously not. Hopefully one day we work our way up, but it's great to be on a similar stage to those teams and those great, talented players.' She tells tales of watching women's knockout games on Saturdays, Arsenal's recent final win over Barcelona watched with team-mates at home and Katie McCabe cheered every step of the way. Brady lives with another of Athlone's American stars, Madie Gibson, and the Stateside presence has helped her smooth transition. She has gotten a job as a barista in a local café, and is fully immersing herself in Irish society having grown up surrounded by the heritage: her father is from Castleblaney, Co Monaghan, and her maternal grandfather hailed from Kinvara, Co Galway. 'I thought I'd be playing more Gaelic football! But it's full-time soccer now. I played a little bit of Gaelic football at home and I hoped to come here and play but I can't be risking injury.' Brady doesn't hesitate when asked about the differences between playing in the States and in Ireland. 'It's very technical here. At home, people would play multiple sports and it's a lot of athleticism there. I'm not saying the girls aren't athletic here, they're very athletic as well because of Gaelic football and hurling and stuff. 'The major difference I'd say was the technicality. I think the different systems and teams play in and they want to put the ball down and play soccer, most of these teams here. That was the main difference I'd say, instead of just the physicality as well. Big strong girls. I think I'm a pretty adaptable player so I think I've adjusted well.' Onwards to the European stage, with plenty of support expected at Athlone Town Stadium — and more watching on LOI TV from the States. 'My dad and my family has sponsored a bus to send down some girls from Blayney Rovers, a small club in Castleblayney, for the girls or whoever wants to come down and watch the game. 'I think there's a group of 60 of them going. And then family from Galway and stuff are making their own way down — not taking up spots on the bus though! 'Oh God, it's an unreal feeling. I think we've sold up to 1,100 tickets now. The excitement, the buzz has really gone around the team. It's exciting and we hope to get a good result.'
Irish Times
2 days ago
- Sport
- Irish Times
Athlone confident in their goalscoring abilities ahead of European debut against Cardiff City
Women's Champions League, first qualifying round: Athlone Town v Cardiff City, Athlone Town Stadium, Wednesday, 7.30pm – Live on LOITV Athlone Town's European debut against Cardiff City in the Champions League first-round qualifier at Lissywollen comes with an instant reward as the winners have a home tie this Saturday against Croatian side ZNK Agram. 'There is a buzz around the town, so we're excited to get going,' said Madie Gibson, Athlone's American winger. 'We know that Cardiff are a good side and we have to respect them. It's not going to be easy, we know that. 'We're confident. We have one of the top goalscorers in the league with Kelly Brady, we have Róisín Molloy, who always gets a lot of assists every year, but we also have a lot of young players who can come in and score as well. 'So we're kind of rich all over the pitch and anyone can score on their day.' READ MORE However, Gibson, Brady and Izzy Groves are injury doubts for manager Colin Fortune. 'We're assessing them, they're massive players,' Fortune said. 'The Treaty game thrown in (last Wednesday) didn't help us. I don't think we're developed for that yet, them type of games coming around as quick as they did, I don't think we're ready for that and it's done a bit of damage to us in relation to our preparation. 'We'll give Cardiff a right go no matter who's on the pitch.' Athlone are the fifth Irish club to play in Europe, following in the footsteps of Peamount United, Raheny United, Wexford and Shelbourne.
RTÉ News
19-07-2025
- Sport
- RTÉ News
Athlone Town lose ground at the top as Galway secure draw
Athlone Town and Galway United played out a battling draw in a high-quality affair at The Athlone Town Stadium as the reigning champions saw their lead at the top cut to just two points. Kelly Brady was credited with the opener in the first half, as her deflected header set her side on their way to what would have been their third win over Galway United, but a spirited second half saw an Aislinn Meaney stunner earn a deserved point on the road. It didn't take long for the champions to exert their dominance early on. After her match winning and record-breaking brace away in Wexford last week, 15-year-old sensation Emma Mooney showed tremendous pace down the left-hand side to win a corner after a couple of minutes. A clever two v one from the resulting set piece saw Roisin Molloy cut inside and unleash a thunderous effort that was sharply turned behind by Nicole Nix. With Shelbourne having piled on the pressure with their earlier 4-1 win over Peamount United, the table-topping Town knew the margin for error was slim, and they went close again minutes later. The rampaging Molloy swung in a deep cross from the right wing but having been half cleared up in the air, the unmarked skipper Madie Gibson failed to hit the target with her right-footed volley. But Phil Trill's side are made of stern stuff and looked fairly solid as the half developed. The hosts, clearly targeting the right-hand side, continued to get joy and this avenue proved fruitful with the opener coming 25 minutes in. Following some excellent footwork by Hannah Waesch, who delivered a whipped ball into the box, Kelly Brady looked to have gotten in front of Eve Dossen but her glanced header seemed to come off the unfortunate Galway defender last and loop into the net. But the hosts were dealt a massive blow moments later when one of the league's top performers Gibson was unable to shake off an injury from an early collision and was replaced by Izzy Ryan The visitors, for all their hard work out of possession, failed to trouble the American Megan Placchko, bar a couple of long-range efforts as a war of attrition developed. With the game firmly in the balance, chants of "C'mon the Town" greeted the start of the second half knowing that a second might be needed to get over the line. Ryan got some good space just right of the area but opted for a clipped ball towards Brady that was well marshalled by Dossen on this occasion. The visitors began to grow in confidence as the game edged towards the hour mark. Both Rolake Olusola and Amanda Smith had efforts before a couple of quick-fire corners further piled on the pressure. Emma Doherty's dancing feet on the edge of the area then fashioned a yard of space and forced Plaschko into a full stretch fingertip save to keep her side's narrow lead intact. Having weathered the storm, the home side slowly swung the pendulum back in their favour. The lively Brady was again razor sharp in the box, twisting and turning under pressure before eventually being snuffed out. With a quarter of an hour remaining the chance the visitors had been desperately hoping for finally arrived when Doherty broke the offside trap and raced clear, but unfortunately for the former Sligo Rovers star her low shot was well smothered. However with just over five minutes remaining the visitors managed to equalise with a tremendous goal of the season contender. Substitute Meaney stunned the home support as she took advantage of some sloppy play out from the back, intercepting the ball and hitting an unstoppable 25-yard strike into the far top corner to get her side on level terms. To their credit, both sides pushed for a winner in added on time but the spoils were eventually shared, breathing further life into the enthralling title race with the difference now just two points. Athlone Town: Megan Plaschko, Kellie Brennan, Kayleigh Shine, Shauna Brennan, Natalie McNally, Hannah Waesch, Kelly Brady, Roisin Molloy, Emma Mooney (Hazel Donegan, 88'), Madison Gibson (Isabel Ryan, 33'), Sarah Rice. Galway United: Nicole Nix, Aoibheann Costello, Lucy Grant, Isabella Beletic, Rola Olusola (Ceola Bergin, 68'), Lynsey McKey (Aisling Meaney, 62'), Therese Kinnevey, Amanda Smith, Eve Dossen, Emma Doherty (Anna McGough, 88'), Niamh Farrelly. Referee: Claire Purcell. Shelbourne romped to an emphatic 4-1 victory over Peamount United to keep the pressure on Athlone Town. The second-placed Reds went one down very early when Aisling Spillane brilliantly fashioned half a yard of space and lashed home a low effort. Aoibheann Clancy equalised from the spot in the 19th minute, and Kate Mooney put the visitors head in the 57th. Noelle Murray prodded home a 69th-minute third with Mooney striking again five minutes from time to put the cherry on top. Wexford stayed in third position after a 3-0 win at bottom-placed Sligo Rovers. Della Doherty broke the deadlock in the 37th minute, racing on to a ball over the top and lifting home a calm finish. Nine minutes into the second half Ciara Rossiter smashed home a second from close range after Bonnie McKiernan spilled a cross, and Leah McGrath curled home the goal of the game with five minites left to wrap it up. Bohemians edged past Waterford at Dalymount Park. Leiagh Glennon's excellent 43rd-minute effort proved decisive in a tight contest. Treaty United swept past Cork City 3-1 at Turner's Cross. A lovely Isabella Flocchini strike put the visitors ahead on 23 minutes, and Madelyn Robbins doubled their lead four minutes into the second half. Mara McCleary made it 3-0 with a good left-footed finish from inside the box in the 69th minute, with Aine Walsh nabbing a consolation goal for Cork in the closing stages. DLR Waves picked up just their third win of the season when they upset Shamrock Rovers at Tallaght Stadium. Michelle Doonan's perfectly judged lob on 25 minutes was the difference as the Waves moved up to ninth in the table.
Irish Independent
08-05-2025
- Sport
- Irish Independent
‘I grew up in an Irish household and played a lot of Gaelic football' – New Yorker Kelly Brady wins award with Athlone Town
Athlone Town forward Kelly Brady has been named Women's Premier Division Player of the Month for April 2025.
RTÉ News
08-05-2025
- Sport
- RTÉ News
Red-hot striker Kelly Brady lands April player of the month award
Athlone Town's in-form striker Kelly Brady has been named as the SSE Airtricity Women's Premier Division player of the month for April. 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.
