Ciara McNamara and Shaunaugh McCarthy mark special milestones at Cork City
Cork City's Ciara McNamara and Shaunagh McCarthy, with Stuart McCarthy at Turner's Cross. Picture: Doug Minihane
While it was a frustrating season for many at Turner's Cross, Ciara McNamara and Shaunaugh McCarthy found some consolation in the fact they reached a milestone in their Cork City City careers.
McNamara reached 200 appearances for the club while McCarthy hit the 100 club. They might not have featured as much as they'd have liked, but the former Wilton United players still achieved personal goals in their 10th and fifth seasons respectively.
"To reach 200 appearances for one club is unbelievable as not many players have done it in the league so it's an honour really," said McNamara.
"It means an awful lot to my family as well if anyone knows my family they travel all over the country to support me and the teams I've been on. My mam and dad have probably been at every game I've played in the WNL bar a few due to Covid I'd say.
She signed in 2014 and the league has grown since then with more teams joining over the years, as well as various competitions added like the WNL Shield and the All-Island Cup.
"I captained the team to the club's only bit of silverware, winning the FAI Cup back in 2017. That day is something I will never forget and those highs are something I would love to experience again.
"To be captain of that team was an honour for me and something I never took for granted. This season I've been lucky enough to wear the armband a few times it was an honour to do so and it's a feeling I never get tired of experiencing.
"This season was mixed I'll be honest I was quite frustrated in not getting as many minutes as I would have liked but that's football. We need to have more consistency if we want to become a successful team who's higher up the table."
For McCarthy, cementing a starting place next season is her aim.
"Last season was frustrating for me but I knew when I played I had a point to prove which kept me motivated throughout the season," said McCarthy.
"Making my 100th appearance means the absolute world to both myself and my family.
She's been playing for City since 2019, though she suffered an early setback when tearing her ACL.
"Since 2020 I have obviously featured quite a lot and I would say I roughly play around 20-25 games a year between the league and the different cups whether that be starting or coming off the bench. Previously I played with Wilton United who I joined in 2016 as a late starter at 16-years-old.
"Wilton is a fantastic club where I learned so much from the famous Pat Bowdren, Barbara O Connell, Pat O'Driscoll and John Mchale. I was brought up to the senior team that same year and got to play with the likes of Barbara, Zoe Murphy, Ca Cooke and Laura Lynch to name a few and their experience and guidance taught me an awful lot.
"There is one saying that has always stuck with me though and I tell myself before every game and whenever I feel like I’m in a bit of bother I remind myself of 'a little bit of magic; which if you’ve played with Wilton before you’ve heard this saying. It means a lot to me personally.
"So all those traits from Wilton have taught me a lot and while its quite frustrating not consistently playing with City, next year I’m focused on cementing a starting place as I’m more motivated then ever to get back into the starting 11.
"If I know going into the season I’ve done all I can to make that place mine then the rest will take care of itself."
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