Maria O’Sullivan loving life between the sticks for Wexford in the league of Ireland

When a very young Maria O’Sullivan first started playing soccer with her four brothers in the back garden of their house in Ballincollig, little did she know or realise the role soccer would play in her life.

Now 25, the goalkeeper has gone on to have a very good career, both locally and as a professional player between the sticks.

Her journey started when she joined Lakewood Athletic girls as a nine year girl and she spent seven years there before signing for Cork City to play for them in the first year of the Women’s U17 League of Ireland. 

At the age of 17, she signed for Cork City senior women’s team and she made her debut that year, and luckily later, she established herself as the number one goalkeeper. 

After having three full seasons at Cork City, she headed on scholarship to the United States.

"I started playing soccer with my four brothers in our back garden when I was small and I then joined Lakewood girls where I played for seven years before I joined Cork City,” Maria said.

"I loved my time at City, however, I received a offer of a full athletic scholarship with Fordham University in New York and I jumped at the chance to be honest because it was too good and wonderful an opportunity for me to turn down.

“I had three wonderful seasons there, playing in the A10 Conference and graduated with a bachelors degree in psychology. 

After I graduated I decided to commit to St John’s University, also in New York, to play my final season of eligibility in the Big East Conference. 

"I absolutely loved my experience over in the States. 

"I made friends and experiences that will last a lifetime and came home a much better overall player."

When O’Sullivan’s journey finished Stateside she returned home to sign with Galway United, however, she then received an offer from Watford in England and it was an opportunity she couldn’t refuse.

“After returning from America I signed with Galway United for a very brief spell before signing with Watford FC over in England for a season. "Playing in England was always a dream of mine and I loved my time in Watford.

“The level and standard of football in England and overall pace of play was way above anything I had experienced. 

"I was playing alongside people who had spent years playing in the top flight of women’s football in England with clubs like Chelsea, Spurs etc."

Maria returned to Ireland two years ago and signed for Wexford Youths and she is currently playing week in week out with her new club. 

In her own words she feels right at home with Wexford and helped them win the All-Ireland Cup last season by saving the last spot kick in the penalty shootout.

“In 2024, after just short of a season with Watford, for personal reasons I decided to come back home and signed with Wexford FC. 

"They are a fantastic club and I felt right at home when I joined.

“I had a decent enough first season there, winning the All-Island Cup after saving the last spot kick in the penalty shootout. 

"I’m really enjoying playing with Wexford and I’m now in the middle of my second season here.

“My season is entering its later stages so the immediate plan is to finish as high up as possible in the table while personally trying to rack up as many clean sheets and team of the week performances and hopefully get myself into team of the year.

“The plan will then be to prepare for next season which starts again in March and see where I go from there. 

"Hopefully, we can keep all the same players and management in Wexford for next season because if we do, I see a really successful season on the cards competing."

O’Sullivan is very grateful that she has a very supportive family that always backed her decisions and praises them along with her four brothers for giving her the platform to go on to have the career she has had to date.

“I will always thank my family for helping and guiding me as a player. 

"My parents have stood right by me and gave me the platform to pursue soccer, driving me to every training and game, flying all over the place to support me on the sidelines and picking me up when I was down.

“If not for my four brothers blazing footballs at me in the back garden when I was a young girl, I would have never turned into the goalkeeper I am today. 

"Although basketball is the main sport in our house, they are my biggest supporters, and mentors, and also have no problem in dishing out some constructive criticism when needed,” O’Sullivan added.