Alix Mendez loving life on and off the pitch as a professional footballer with Aberdeen

Cork's Alix Mendez is loving life as a professional footballer.

The Carrigaline woman is now plying her trade with Aberdeen in the Scottish Women’s Premier League whom she recently joined from Cork City.

The former Wilton United, Treaty United and Cork City full back definitely doesn’t look out of place in her new surroundings, as she has already been grabbing headlines with some wonderful performances for the Dons.

Alix’s move came about just before the transfer deadline when she was about to re-sign for Cork City. 

She had been in contact with Aberdeen previously, however, Mendez wasn’t sure if she would get the call as soon as she did. 

But when she got the call from their manager Scott Booth, Alix was absolutely thrilled when they offered her a professional contract. 

She got the call on a Thursday and moved over to Scotland on the Sunday and played her first game against Patrick Thistle on the following Wednesday. 

Mendez comes from a soccer mad family as her mother is the well-known player and coach Barbara O’Connell, and she is the younger sister of Jesse, who she played with at Cork City, Treaty and Wilton, and Barbara moved heaven and earth to see her make her debut on that Wednesday night against Patrick Thistle.

“I am absolutely loving it here, as it’s like home from home really,” Alix said.

“The girls are great and the Scottish people in general are so lovely and welcoming. 

"Our manager Scott Booth and his staff have really helped me settle in. Everyone in the club has been so good to me to help me settle in.

“The standard of football is really high here and there’s fierce competition for places. 

"While I’ve been lucky enough to start every game since I came here, it’s due to hard work, as I know I have to keep on my toes as there’s always someone ready to take my place if I get any way complacent. 

"There are really good quality players here at the club and those players I feel I can learn a lot from. 

"Kerry Beattie is a great example. She’s a true professional in how she trains, her mindset, of course her natural ability and she’s also got bags of experience being an international and playing at a highest level for a few years now.

“The level of the league is much higher than I expected, and I’m playing against a lot of international players each week. 

"The pace and physicality is higher than what I was playing at, but I am grateful to my experience in the League of Ireland, as it was definitely a good stepping stone for this level. 

"It’s been great playing really competitive teams week in week out, as I feel playing with and against these great players has improved me massively as a player.

“The different aspects compared to at home are definitely the pace of the game, as I rarely get very little time on the ball. 

"You are closed down so quickly here, so your speed of thought really has to be very sharp. 

"Before you receive a ball, you always need to know where your next move is. 

"Physicality is another huge one. While I’ve been playing in the Women’s National League since I was 17 years old, now I really feel I’m playing against women. 

"They’re physically big and strong, but thankfully, I’m challenging myself to match them and I’m been doing fine to date.

"I definitely think my overall game has improved. 

"Firstly, there’s a lot more competition for places here so my mindset is different. 

"As well as wanting to start every game, I now know I have to work hard in every training session to do so. 

"My lifestyle because I don’t have to work helps my game, because I’m not standing on my feet for nine hours a day and then having to go training. 

"I now can get proper rest and recovery and eat better before sessions. 

"I have got stronger training as a professional. I’m more ambitious now because I know there will be more opportunities for me, because I’m playing at a higher level.

“My goals for this season are to stay in the starting eleven, help my team to get as much wins as we can, put in a good performance in every game including the Scottish cup semi final in Hampden Park against top opposition Rangers next month.

“Right now my plan is just to do enough to keep me in the starting line up and that I must keep impressing my manager Scott in training and in games. 

"In the future I would love to get international call up for Ireland and hopefully experience the English Women’s Super League one day,” Mendez added.