Mendez sisters, Alix and Jesse loving life back playing in Turner's Cross
Jesse and Alix Mendez after Cork City's match in Fermoy with young fans.
THE Mendez sisters, Jesse and Alix are loving life, back playing with their local League of Ireland Women’s Premier Division side Cork City after a spell in Limerick with Treaty United.
They come a soccer-mad family as their mother is Wilton United midfield legend and well-respected coach Barbara O’Connell.
Both girls played soccer from the age of four starting out in the academy in Carrigaline before joining Wilton United, where they played for the majority of their underage career.
They then joined Cork City to play in the League of Ireland, however, they then transferred to Limerick side Treaty United for a two-year spell.
Both girls moved back to the hometown Cork City this season and are really enjoying the positive vibes and atmosphere around the club.
The younger of the two sisters Alix, is really enjoying been back with her local club, however, she pointed out that she had a great experience and made some great friends with Treaty United also.
“It’s great to be back with City as it’s always special to play for your local team, however, I really enjoyed my time with Treaty,” Alix said.
“I have been lucky all my playing career to play with some great players, with the likes of Laura Shine, Ellie O’Brien, Mia O’Connell, Kelsey Cooper and Chloe Atkinson who I have played with with Wilton United and now with City.
"I have also been fortunate to have been coached by some brilliant coaches with John McHale, Pat Bowdren, and my mum Barbara at Wilton United and Craig Hurley, who I won a U17 National League medal in my time with Treaty.
“Since I came back to City I have to say the facilities have really improved from the first time I played there.
"We have full access to the Mardyke Gym for workouts and recovery sessions and everything is very professional.
"I know results in the league are not great, however, we are on a good cup run at the moment, which will give us plenty of confidence for the rest of the rest of the season.
“I’m lucky that I have a great family that are always very supportive, my mum Barbara and dad Mike have always encouraged me from a young age and my grandparents Susan and Sandy Mendez are also helpful.
"My other grandparents Barbara and my late grandfather Jerry have also been brilliant and I hope that I have made them proud,” Alix added.
Jesse, who is the older of the sisters and will celebrate her 21st birthday this month has a similar journey to Alix, as she also played with Wilton, Cork City and Treaty before moving back to City this year.
Jesse also spoke very highly of her coaches John McHale and Pat Bowdren at her time with Wilton United.
“I first want to thank my coaches John and Pat at Wilton as they were brilliant and very organised in everything they did.
“We won the U16 double in my last season and I also won the U16 Gaynor Cup in Limerick with the Cork under coach Charlie Lynch.
"I moved to Cork City the following year and then spent two seasons with Treaty before returning back to by hometown club this season.
"That was so special especially getting to play in the middle of the park with my mum in that tournament.
“However, my biggest supporter has to be my grandmother Barbara.
"She is unbelievable as she has never missed one of my matches, she travels everywhere all over the country to watch me and Alix play.
"The funny thing is that I’m only one of her 18 grandchildren and when they come to visit her, they all be snapping when they see all the cutouts from the paper of me on the fridge door,” Jesse said with a burst of laughter.
"But seriously she is a legend and she loves all her grandchildren, but just has a soft spot for me.
“This year I have moved from my midfield role to the back line, which is a transition for me, however, I am really enjoying my football this year with our very young team."
App?
