Latest news with #SarahRowe
ABC News
19-05-2025
- Sport
- ABC News
Sarah Rowe became an A-League Women champion on Sunday. On Wednesday she starts AFLW preseason
Central Coast Mariners defender Sarah Rowe almost lost her voice after claiming the A-League Women championship on Sunday against Melbourne Victory. But the 29-year-old multi-sport star has limited time to revel in her soccer side's fairytale win with her AFLW preseason with Collingwood starting on Wednesday. The Mariners went in as underdogs but secured the win on penalties 5-4 after scores were tied 1-1 following extra-time. To reach the title decider, they had a shock semi-final victory over premiers Melbourne City last weekend. The Mariners went from fourth to champions after knocking over Canberra United, City and Victory along the way. "I've never seen celebrations like that before, in terms of the excitement levels. It was mental, but it was so much fun, just unbelievable," Rowe told ABC Sport. The Irishwoman moved to Australia in 2018 after signing with the Magpies and joined the Mariners for the 2024/25 A-League Women's season as it coincided with the AFLW off season. This was after a brief stint with Melbourne Victory during the back half of the 2022/23 season. "The first week of training, I was under serious pressure because I hadn't played (in the) backline in two years. And the way you prepare for AFLW is so different to soccer. So the first couple of weeks, I was like, 'God, I'm bad and I need to get good quick'," Rowe said. "And I turned into a defender as well. I'm actually a winger, naturally. So I changed position, which is a very hard shift of mindset when you're attacking minded." Rowe said she did an awful lot of work with Mariners coach Emily Husband to get herself up to speed but even so, didn't feel entirely ready when she was thrown in the deep end. "Maybe two to three weeks in she put me straight into the starting team, which I was like, 'Are you sure?' But if you back me in, I am ready and she just threw me in," Rowe said. "And when I reflect now, I go, I've played 20 games of A-league in my AFLW off season, which is essentially twice the last AFLW season, which is crazy to think." Rowe thinks adjusting back to AFLW will be an easier transition, particularly as she's coming in as fit as she can be. "That's one massive part of it and even just the acceleration, deceleration, there'll be lots I'll be taking from soccer and into AFLW and I think it'll complement (well)," she said, acknowledging they'll be parts that will be difficult going back. Collingwood started their preseason last week with inductions across the clubs. "And I just have to obviously have to re-motivate myself to go again and challenge myself again to be in that space where I essentially have to catch up on the work I missed," she said. "But at the end of the day, these things are my job as well. Like, I'm so lucky to do that. I just think your career is short and while you can and while you're able (should aim) to get as much out of it as you can." "There's just so much elation. I'm so happy the way this all ended, and I'm so sad it's over. That's the way you feel about it, and that's all you want in sport is to have success, and you (have) very little days of success. "I've won a bit in my career, I've won more in my soccer career than I probably have in any other sport. But these days don't come around that often."
RTÉ News
18-05-2025
- Sport
- RTÉ News
Sarah Rowe helps Mariners to first A-League Women's Grand Final
Former Shelbourne and Bohemians player Sarah Rowe helped Central Coast Mariners to win Australia's A-League Women's Grand Final with a 5-4 penalty shoot-out win over Melbourne Victory on Sunday, following a 1-1 draw after extra time, to claim the title for the first time. Captain Bianca Galic smashed home the final penalty at AAMI Park in Melbourne to give Central Coast the win, having earlier seen Victory's Alana Jancevski hit the crossbar with the opening spot kick. The game went to a shoot-out after the teams shared a 1-1 draw in regulation time, with neither side able to score in 30 minutes of extra time. Isabel Gomez had given Central Coast the lead less than a minute into the second half when she prodded the ball past Courtney Newbon as the Victory defence failed to clear Annalise Rasmussen's deflected shot as it looped into the air. Victory saw two efforts disallowed before Claudia Bunge levelled with 10 minutes remaining, the central defender meeting Alana Murphy's corner with a powerful header that Annabel Martin could not prevent from crossing the line. The game moved into penalties and Jancevski hit the woodwork with the opening kick of the shoot-out to leave Galic to score the winner in the fifth and final round. Rowe, who played at right-back in the final, joined Central Coast Mariners last December. She has represented the Mayo ladies Gaelic football team and is also signed on with AFLW outfit Collingwood for the 2025 season. Rowe will now head for Aussie Rules pre-season having added another medal to her soccer collection.
Yahoo
18-05-2025
- Sport
- Yahoo
Mariners win first A-League Women's title in dramatic grand final
Central Coast Mariners' Sarah Rowe (L) and Melbourne Victory's Claudia Bunge tussle for the ball during the women's A-League football grand final (William WEST) Underdog Central Coast Mariners claimed their first A-League Women's title on Sunday after prevailing 5-4 in a penalty shootout over Melbourne Victory at AAMI Park. Scores were deadlocked at 1-1 following regulation and extra time, forcing the first penalty shootout in the competition's grand final history. Advertisement Victory's Alana Jancevski hit the crossbar on the first kick before the Mariners calmly nailed five in a row to trigger scenes of jubilation. "We were very lucky to win and they were unlucky to lose," Mariners goalkeeper Sarah Langman said. "We were ready (for the penalty shootout) and knew we could do it." Showing no nerves in their maiden grand final appearance, Mariners defied the partisan crowd with Matildas squad member Isabel Gomez breaking the deadlock in the 46th minute. Victory were forced into attack mode in a bid to become the first team since Sydney FC in 2009 to come from behind and win a grand final. Advertisement After waves of attack, Victory were finally rewarded when New Zealand international Claudia Bunge headed the ball past Langman in the 80th minute. For just the second time in the competition's history, the grand final went into extra time but neither team could break the deadlock. Mariners' triumph was a remarkable comeback for the A-League Women's smallest club after they were kicked out of the competition in 2010 due to a lack of funding before making a celebrated return two years ago. During a regular season where they finished fourth, Mariners showcased tactical discipline under Emily Husband, one of only two women coaches in the 12-team league. Advertisement They entered the final on the back of a major semi-final upset to end Melbourne City's hopes of a trophy treble. It's been a fruitful period for the franchise with the Mariners men's team having claimed back-to-back titles. The men's A-League grand final will be held on May 31. tl/mtp
The 42
17-05-2025
- Sport
- The 42
Sarah Rowe: 'I'm a risk taker in general, no matter what it is in life'
THE 5.30AM DRIVE to training is well underway when Sarah Rowe's phone rings. She's half-an-hour or so from her Sydney base, heading north to Central Coast Mariners Football Club, and more than happy to chat away. It's the Wednesday morning of A-League Women's Grand Final week, this early start a particularly easy one for the Mayo multi-sport star. 'There's definitely a really nice feeling in the air at the moment,' Rowe tells The 42 during the hour-long journey she makes for 7am training five times a week. Still basking in the glow of the stunning semi-final win over unbeaten defending champions Melbourne City — 'a memory in my career that I'll never forget' — the focus quickly moves to Central Coast's first-ever decider. . . against her former club, Melbourne Victory. This Australian soccer adventure is the latest chapter in Rowe's colourful sporting career, with AFLW and Gaelic football also mastered at the top level. The 29-year-old has predominantly been in Australia since 2018, when she took her shot at professional sport with AFLW outfit Collingwood. Seven seasons into her journey with the Melbourne side, Rowe has also enjoyed several soccer stints along the way. She balanced Gaelic football and soccer through her youth, representing Mayo and Ireland on the biggest stages. Reaching the semi-finals of the U19 Uefa Women's European Championships in 2014 on a team which featured Katie McCabe was an undoubted highlight, while she starred for Castlebar Town, Raheny United, and later, Shelbourne in the Women's National League. While chasing All-Irelands with Mayo and the AFLW dream soon took over, Rowe never lost that love for soccer. Rowe's first season for Collingwood was 2019. Alamy Stock Photo Alamy Stock Photo A brief return to Shels, who she previously helped to a league and cup double, in 2021 indicated unfinished business, and in January 2023, she signed for A-League Women's club Melbourne Victory as an injury replacement player. A few weeks later, she came home to Ireland and joined Bohemians ahead of the new domestic season as the World Cup neared. Rowe ignored the 'narrative' around the move, but The 42 understands she was on Vera Pauw's standby list for the tournament. Collingwood took precedence once more thereafter, but last December, the Ballina native ventured back into Australian soccer with Central Coast Mariners. 'I think after not playing a full season with Melbourne Victory in the A-League, it was something that I always said I wasn't done with,' she says. With the 2024/25 campaign in its infancy, Victory didn't have an international player spot free, but Rowe enquired about another via a performance coach she was working with, Dean Benton, formerly of Rugby Australia and England Rugby and currently of Central Coast. The Mariners' rise since their reform in 2023 — after a 15-year hiatus — has been remarkable and the project, led by Emily Husband, interested Rowe. She asked for the head coach's number and soon approached Collingwood with a potential off-season proposition. Contact was established between both clubs, and Englishwoman Husband shared immediate interest. 'Then I gave her a ring, and we just got on really well,' Rowe picks up. 'I have to say, she's one of the best operators that I've ever worked under, from every angle I look at. 'She's an extremely respected person, humble, empathetic, but then has this real hard, competitive side to her that kind of filters down into us players. She just has this real personal touch. Advertisement 'As soon as I spoke to her, I was like, 'Ah, this girl gets it. I want to play for her.'' Rowe played for Bohs in 2023. Tom Maher / INPHO Tom Maher / INPHO / INPHO Minutes after Central Coast announced their new international signing, Collingwood wished their long-serving star well and confirmed she would return for pre-season training in May 2025. 'For me, it was just a no-brainer,' Rowe, who has transitioned from winger to right-back this season, explains. 'Our off season for AFLW is so long, six months. I've played 19 games with Central Coast, almost twice of what I play in an AFLW season being 11 games. It's such a long time to be out of competition while you're fit, while you're able and while you can. 'Obviously, Collingwood would love me to be there in the off season, but they understand the individual as well and the way I'm wired. I was like, 'I really want to do this, and I feel like it will benefit me and I feel like I will come back a better AFLW player.'' She points out the benefits of the crossover: the transitional game, how she covers 10 more kilometres per soccer week than AFLW week, and the acceleration/deceleration meaning she should be able to evade space better when returning to the oval ball. 'I find soccer really complements AFLW. I do find it harder going back from AFLW to soccer, and I think it's because there's so much skill involved in soccer and your feet need to be really quick, but AFLW, you're generally running through things rather than evading space. I do find the transition pretty difficult, but if you work hard on it, it's about six weeks, I reckon it takes me to transition properly.' The multi-sport life clearly works for her, thriving in the chaos of moving between sports. 'And if I had the time and they would let me play Gaelic football, I would be playing Gaelic football,' Rowe laughs. 'I think as well I enjoy the fact of being under pressure — I enjoy that I'll need to do extra work when I get back [to AFLW] to get right, but it kind of helps me redial, refocus, whereas when you have too much time as an athlete who is out of competition for too long, it's hard to not feel like you'll get the work done eventually. Rowe last played for Mayo in 2021. James Crombie / INPHO James Crombie / INPHO / INPHO 'It's that procrastination thing: if you have loads of time to do a job, you'll probably do it on the last day. I think that it just really keeps me dialled in and focused, essentially year round. We'll see how it goes, we'll look back in a year and see if it all worked out.' That begs a burning question: does she think deeply about long-term plans, or just go from one sport to the other, one season to the next, and see how her body and mind is? 'I think people think I'm crazy in terms of what I do! I've just always had this mindset where I'm like, it may or may not work out, but I want to take the risk anyway. I'm a risk taker in general, no matter what it is in life. 'I'm in ways going with the flow, but I'm open to opportunities coming my way, and I'm open to doors opening — and I don't know which one I'm going to walk through, there could be 10 of them open in front of me, I just don't know which one I'm going for. 'I will have all the conversations to put myself in the position to be able to go different directions. It's quite confusing for people, I'd say. I tried to explain to Collingwood, I was like, 'Guys at this point now I'm predictably unpredictable.' So if I come to you with another surprise tomorrow, why would you be surprised at this rate?'' Basically, don't rule out more twists and turns. It's certainly not beyond the realms of possibility that Rowe adds to her sole senior international cap. The 42 understands she is on the Ireland radar, and has been making a push for extended squads after an impressive individual season. Asked if she still holds international football ambitions, Rowe says: 'I'd never turn down an opportunity to play for my country. 'Wearing the green jersey has been some of the proudest days of my life, and it represents so much more than the sport. It's my family, it's who I am, it's what I stand for. There's so many reasons why I would never turn my back on Ireland if it came up — and the time was right.' Rowe (13) with her Ireland U19 team in 2014. Anders Hoven / INPHO Anders Hoven / INPHO / INPHO For now, however, it is all about Central Coast — and targeting Grand Final glory. After reaching the semi-final last year, Husband has brought her side one step further. The former Huddersfield Town player has a new right-back in Rowe — 'She asked me had I ever played right back? I didn't lie. I said yes, but when I did was when I was like 16 and not in a professional set-up' — and her hand in that transformation reflects her incredible work across the team. Rowe speaks glowingly about their adaptability and ability to play different systems, a huge challenge for opposition. Athletes are often uncomfortable with change, she adds, but Husband stresses the need for evolution and discomfort. 'There's just this real trust between the players and coaches, which is hard to foster. I've been in many different team environments and cultures, it's a big challenge, because everyone has different beliefs, and everyone wants it their way. To get everyone to believe in the same thing at the same time is a hard thing to do. I just feel like this is a very special group, but I think it starts with the top and it filters down.' Resilience has been key too, a 121st minute winner — controversially awarded as most feel it was offside — seeing the Mariners shock Melbourne City in the semi-final. The focus now switches to the other Melbourne side, Victory, as Rowe gears up to face her former club. A text exchange with their coach, Jeff Hopkins, provided some entertainment during the week. 'Well done. Absolutely delighted for you, and delighted for Central Coast,' Hopkins text. Rowe's reply? 'Hopefully you won't be so happy for me next weekend!' In action against Melbourne City last weekend. Alamy Stock Photo Alamy Stock Photo 'There's a real respect between Victory and I. They were so good to me along that transition, before I went back to Bohs, they did so much extra work with me when no one else was watching. I'll always really appreciate them for that. 'But it will be all is fair in love and football at the weekend!' AAMI Park is the stage as the latest chapter in Rowe's journey reaches a climax [KO 3.15pm local time / 6.15am Irish time]. It's a short distance from Collingwood's home venue, Victoria Park, and the Irishwoman is hoping for some personal Melbourne support. Her father, Alan, will also be in the crowd — he wouldn't miss it for the world. Just how much this all means. It's not the Grand Final she originally dreamt of when she touched down in Australia — the AFLW showpiece alluding Collingwood to date, just like the All-Ireland did Mayo in her day — but in some ways this could be more special. Further success on another huge platform on the other side of the world, earlier highlights including that 2016 double with Shelbourne, Connacht titles won with Mayo and O'Connor Cup glory for DCU. 'It would mean so much,' says Rowe. 'When you look at my career, you might think I've had a lot of success — I probably feel like I haven't. 'You put in so many tireless days every year, year in, year out. Most people don't win consistently. I think these days are very short come by and extremely special. It's a team that I've really built something with over the last six months. Although it's my first season with them, it's been amazing. 'It's been a great story the whole way through, there's been so many highs and lows. I left my life in Melbourne to move to Sydney, just gave everything to Central Coast and I'm glad that I made the decision that I did.' 'I'm extremely excited,' Rowe adds, the time 6.29am as she turns into the training ground. Perfect timing. 'It's going to be a really special occasion.'
The Advertiser
16-05-2025
- Sport
- The Advertiser
Magpie-turned-Mariner Rowe to swoop on ALW decider
When Sarah Rowe's Collingwood teammates finished a rough AFLW season and turned their attention to holidays, the Irishwoman had other ideas for her six months off. But even she didn't think playing in an A-League Women grand final would be part of the picture. On Sunday, Central Coast defender Rowe will do just that, facing former club Melbourne Victory at AAMI Park - right next door to Collingwood HQ. "When you look at the whole story, you just think to yourself: it couldn't have worked out any better," Rowe told AAP. "As an athlete, I love being in competition and no matter what, you can't beat competition, whether it's in another sport or not. "So I was like, how do I best improve and learn a lot and take a lot from this off-season? "So I just said 'I'd love to go back and play soccer'." A former Ireland youth international before turning her focus to Gaelic, then AFLW, Rowe previously had a short stint at Victory in 2023. But keen on trying life outside Melbourne, Rowe was put in touch with Central Coast coach Emily Husband. "As soon as I talked to her, it just felt right," Rowe said. "Then it was like a matter of speaking to Collingwood and seeing how we could help the worlds collide." The Mariners share reports on Rowe's fitness so she can be ready for AFLW pre-season when she returns, while Collingwood give her space to focus on soccer. That's included transforming from a quick, athletic winger to an aggressive full-back. It's paid off. "It couldn't have worked out any better and I couldn't be happier with my decision to make the move to Sydney and to go for this," Rowe said. That the grand final comes against Victory, and coach Jeff Hopkins, is even more precious. "When I went back last time, I hadn't played soccer in eight years and Jeff took the chance on me and backed me in and did so much work alongside (former assistant) Caitlin Friend to get me up to scratch," Rowe said. "Massive respect for Victory and what they've done. Massive respect for Jeff and what he's done. "But it will be all's fair in love and war on Sunday. There's no friends on Sunday." Rowe will have her Collingwood teammates, Irish friends and even her dad there on Sunday. "He's been there the last two weekends," she said. "He was meant to go home after the Canberra game, and he's like, 'you're ruining my life. You keep winning. You weren't supposed to win.' "Every week, he's been like, 'I'm staying another week' - so he couldn't miss it. "I was trying to figure out if I could squeeze in a trip home to Ireland just before the AFLW season. My life has been turned upside down, in the most positive way. "I've thought I've been moving back to Melbourne about five times over the last couple of weeks - and I'm still in Sydney. So it's been amazing, a rollercoaster of a journey." When Sarah Rowe's Collingwood teammates finished a rough AFLW season and turned their attention to holidays, the Irishwoman had other ideas for her six months off. But even she didn't think playing in an A-League Women grand final would be part of the picture. On Sunday, Central Coast defender Rowe will do just that, facing former club Melbourne Victory at AAMI Park - right next door to Collingwood HQ. "When you look at the whole story, you just think to yourself: it couldn't have worked out any better," Rowe told AAP. "As an athlete, I love being in competition and no matter what, you can't beat competition, whether it's in another sport or not. "So I was like, how do I best improve and learn a lot and take a lot from this off-season? "So I just said 'I'd love to go back and play soccer'." A former Ireland youth international before turning her focus to Gaelic, then AFLW, Rowe previously had a short stint at Victory in 2023. But keen on trying life outside Melbourne, Rowe was put in touch with Central Coast coach Emily Husband. "As soon as I talked to her, it just felt right," Rowe said. "Then it was like a matter of speaking to Collingwood and seeing how we could help the worlds collide." The Mariners share reports on Rowe's fitness so she can be ready for AFLW pre-season when she returns, while Collingwood give her space to focus on soccer. That's included transforming from a quick, athletic winger to an aggressive full-back. It's paid off. "It couldn't have worked out any better and I couldn't be happier with my decision to make the move to Sydney and to go for this," Rowe said. That the grand final comes against Victory, and coach Jeff Hopkins, is even more precious. "When I went back last time, I hadn't played soccer in eight years and Jeff took the chance on me and backed me in and did so much work alongside (former assistant) Caitlin Friend to get me up to scratch," Rowe said. "Massive respect for Victory and what they've done. Massive respect for Jeff and what he's done. "But it will be all's fair in love and war on Sunday. There's no friends on Sunday." Rowe will have her Collingwood teammates, Irish friends and even her dad there on Sunday. "He's been there the last two weekends," she said. "He was meant to go home after the Canberra game, and he's like, 'you're ruining my life. You keep winning. You weren't supposed to win.' "Every week, he's been like, 'I'm staying another week' - so he couldn't miss it. "I was trying to figure out if I could squeeze in a trip home to Ireland just before the AFLW season. My life has been turned upside down, in the most positive way. "I've thought I've been moving back to Melbourne about five times over the last couple of weeks - and I'm still in Sydney. So it's been amazing, a rollercoaster of a journey." When Sarah Rowe's Collingwood teammates finished a rough AFLW season and turned their attention to holidays, the Irishwoman had other ideas for her six months off. But even she didn't think playing in an A-League Women grand final would be part of the picture. On Sunday, Central Coast defender Rowe will do just that, facing former club Melbourne Victory at AAMI Park - right next door to Collingwood HQ. "When you look at the whole story, you just think to yourself: it couldn't have worked out any better," Rowe told AAP. "As an athlete, I love being in competition and no matter what, you can't beat competition, whether it's in another sport or not. "So I was like, how do I best improve and learn a lot and take a lot from this off-season? "So I just said 'I'd love to go back and play soccer'." A former Ireland youth international before turning her focus to Gaelic, then AFLW, Rowe previously had a short stint at Victory in 2023. But keen on trying life outside Melbourne, Rowe was put in touch with Central Coast coach Emily Husband. "As soon as I talked to her, it just felt right," Rowe said. "Then it was like a matter of speaking to Collingwood and seeing how we could help the worlds collide." The Mariners share reports on Rowe's fitness so she can be ready for AFLW pre-season when she returns, while Collingwood give her space to focus on soccer. That's included transforming from a quick, athletic winger to an aggressive full-back. It's paid off. "It couldn't have worked out any better and I couldn't be happier with my decision to make the move to Sydney and to go for this," Rowe said. That the grand final comes against Victory, and coach Jeff Hopkins, is even more precious. "When I went back last time, I hadn't played soccer in eight years and Jeff took the chance on me and backed me in and did so much work alongside (former assistant) Caitlin Friend to get me up to scratch," Rowe said. "Massive respect for Victory and what they've done. Massive respect for Jeff and what he's done. "But it will be all's fair in love and war on Sunday. There's no friends on Sunday." Rowe will have her Collingwood teammates, Irish friends and even her dad there on Sunday. "He's been there the last two weekends," she said. "He was meant to go home after the Canberra game, and he's like, 'you're ruining my life. You keep winning. You weren't supposed to win.' "Every week, he's been like, 'I'm staying another week' - so he couldn't miss it. "I was trying to figure out if I could squeeze in a trip home to Ireland just before the AFLW season. My life has been turned upside down, in the most positive way. "I've thought I've been moving back to Melbourne about five times over the last couple of weeks - and I'm still in Sydney. So it's been amazing, a rollercoaster of a journey."
