Back in March Last year Ballinasloes Heather Payne was chosen as the FAI Under 16 Women’s International Player of the Year and her career has continued to rise as she was selected in the Republic of Ireland senior squad along with Mohills Dearbhaile Beirne. Manager Colin Bell begins his preparations for the 2019 World Cup qualification campaign which will start against Northern Ireland in September.
Peamount United forward Heather Payne, who starred for the WU17s side in the recent European Championships, has received her first call-up as well as UCD Waves forward Dearbhaile Beirne.
Heather joined John Lynch in studio yesterday and she began by telling him about how she started playing Soccer at the age of 5 with Ballinasloe in the Athlone league before she joined Salthill Devon at 14 years of age. She now represents Peamount United in the Womens national league which consists of 7 teams where they are currently top of the table. She has to travel to Dublin three or four times a week for matches and training.
The ardscoil Mhuire Ballinasloe student who has just completed fifth year spoke to John about her delight at receiving a letter to represent Ireland at under 15 level after trials and her player of the year award. Many options like a career in England or a soccer scholarship in America are now on the horizon.
She told John that you don’t have to be from Dublin for soccer talent to be noticed.
You can hear their conversation here:
