Orlaith O'Mahony on balancing Leaving Cert studies in Kildare with signing for Cork City

WITH just over two weeks to go before the Women's National League season kicks off, Cork City's first new signing Orlaith O'Mahony has impressed in pre-season. 

I'm looking forward to seeing the 18-year-old Leaving Cert student in action.

The Kildare native transferred from Shamrock Rovers and is expected to be a key player for Danny Murphy's side wearing the number eight jersey. The lively midfielder is excited to get started.

"I am really excited for the season to start in just over a fortnight," said O'Mahony. "I have really got to know the squad and the girls more and more which obviously helps when settling in."

So why move from a club who are competing at the top and looking after their players financially?

"I think for me as a player and for me to develop more and more and gain as much experience as possible I realised it was time to move. 

I suppose the reason I looked to Cork was my father is from Blackrock in Cork and I have a lot of family down here. 

"Also when I came down and heard what the club were trying to achieve I definitely wanted to be a part of it. I signed just before Christmas and began training with the squad for preseason at the start of January.

"Coming in, all the girls were so welcoming.

The training In preseason has been really competitive and has had a good intensity to them. There is a great sense of togetherness in the squad on and off the pitch which I believe is really important."

O'Mahony is a player I believe City have been missing in the middle of the park. She has the stamina and physicality to mix it in the middle of the park and is sure to make a huge impact in a season where City need to be better. 

Without a win in the league in 2023, the pressure is on and O'Mahony hopes she can make a difference.

"For the season ahead I just want to do the best that I can to help and contribute to the squad and to carry out any role I am given through the year to the best of my ability in order to help the squad and club.

"I have settled in well and can't wait to get going with the season now. Danny and the management team have really been supportive which has really helped the settling in and I hope to reward them by putting in good performances.

"It's obviously a busy year for me with doing the Leaving Cert. 

I come down on Wednesday for training and go back up on Thursday morning. I then come back down on Friday afternoon for the weekend. So it works out very well. 

"I don't miss any school with the way it works out and I'm able to get school work done while travelling. I also only have four months of school left so it will be a lot easier come the end of June. My school is very supportive as well which is a huge help and something I'm very thankful for. I feel at the moment I have a good balance between study and football."

PEDIGREE

O'Mahony has played international football at U15, U16, U17 and U19 level and her experience has helped her cope with the balance of football and life in general.

"When deciding on the move to Cork, school was a big factor in making the decision to move because of the travel, but I think when we sat down and discussed it we knew it would work. I also knew my school would help me out whenever they could and be very supportive which made my decision a lot easier. 

"I did really enjoy my time Rovers and it certainly wasn't an easy decision to leave. The club did a lot for me as a player and I will always be grateful for it. However, I think for me it was time to move on and gain as much experience as I can and push on to the next level and I look forward to doing that here in Cork."