Sligo Rovers can today confirm Katie Melly has signed for our Women’s National League side.
Sligo town native Melly is currently a scholarship student at IT Sligo, where she is in her fourth year, studying Health Science and Physical Activity.
Melly is the third confirmed signing for Steve Feeney’s side, joining Emma Hansbery and Amy Hyndman in the squad.
The 23-year-old played her underage football with Strand Celtic, and represented the league at the Gaynor Cup.
Melly also represented Connacht at the FAI Schools interprovincial tournament in 2012.
At the age of 16, she signed for Castlebar Celtic who at the time were playing in the Women’s National League.
Melly, an attacking midfielder or winger, grew up supporting the Bit O’Red, and now the opportunity to play for the club is a massive source of pride for her and her family.
She said: “I’m delighted to sign for Sligo Rovers. It’s great. The thought of playing for Sligo Rovers fills me with excitement. There’s pictures at home of me with my Dad at the matches and I’m only 5 or 6.
“Signing for them, it’s great for my family as well because my Dad is a massive fan of Rovers. I just want to make them all proud.”
Melly has proved to be an important player for IT Sligo, and played a vital role in the college’s O’Regan Cup victory in 2019.
Having not played club football since Castlebar Celtic left the WNL, Melly is now raring to go at Sligo Rovers.
“I’ve wanted to go back playing in the WNL for a while. It was tough when I was in school traveling up and down to Castlebar for training and then for games at the weekends.
“The only other place I could go was Galway but it’s a two hour drive which wasn’t really feasible cause I had college in Sligo.
“Then I spoke to Conor O’Grady and I couldn’t wait to get involved with Rovers. Now I’m dying to play. I’m really excited.”
Training is well underway, and Melly can’t wait to get games under her belt.
Rovers take on Conn Rangers in a pre-season friendly at the Sean Fallon Centre on Saturday at 4pm.
“Training has been tough, for me I’m starting back properly again. The level of training drills and the playing drills is great. I can’t wait to start playing games. I can’t wait to get going. Getting the feel of it all being back training just makes me more excited about playing games.”
Melly is also enjoying working with manager Steve Feeney and the backroom team.
“They’re all great coaches and they all know what they’re talking about. I’m really enjoying working with them and constantly learning as we go along.”
Familiar faces within the squad have certainly made the settling in period easier.
“I played with Emma Hansberry down in Castlebar. I always looked up to her, she played for Strand Celtic as well. There’s some other girls there too that I played with already so it’s great to play with them and have that familiarity.”