Sligo Rovers have signed Amy Roddy for the new Women’s National League season.

The 30-year-old, who hails from Ballina in county Mayo, is a central midfielder, but admits she is starting to enjoy playing centre-back – a position she wasn’t too fond of once upon a time.

Roddy has played football since she was a child, playing for Ballina Town at underage level, moving up to the senior team where they enjoyed great success winning county and national titles including the FAI Intermediate Cup.

Roddy represented Connacht and Mayo in representative teams throughout the years.

Roddy, who recently set up her own personal training and online coaching business, previously played football with IT Sligo during her four years there, winning numerous titles.

She is an established GAA player, playing for Mayo at both underage and senior level.

It’s been a few years since she played football competitively, as she played club and county GAA, but Roddy is looking forward to the challenge presented by the Women’s National League.

“When I finished college I missed playing soccer so much, my club career with Ballina Town unfortunately ended too when we no longer had a team or manager. 

“So when I heard the rumours about Sligo Rovers finally getting a senior team I was delighted, I love the challenge of playing sport at a high level.”

Working with manager Steve Feeney and his team of coaches, Roddy says she is learning every week.

“From the first session it was clear that Steve and the coaches knew what they were at, the sessions have been brilliant and I’m learning loads.

“There are a few familiar faces within the squad for Roddy, with Mayo players and players from IT Sligo within the group.

“Coming into the panel I knew a lot of the girls from playing college football and some of them are from Mayo too, it’s nice having people you know when joining a new team.”

While Roddy feels it took her a little bit of time to find her feet, she is enjoying working with younger players whom she is learning from.

“The younger girls on the team who I’m getting to know are so talented, after spending the last few years focusing on GAA it has taken a few sessions to get back into it and I’m definitely learning a thing or two from the younger girls on the team. It’s always good to have a balance of youth and experience on a team.”

She hopes Rovers can make their mark within the Women’s National League. 

“Sligo are so passionate about their soccer and I’m delighted to be part of the first WNL side, everyone has been so welcoming and professional and the experience so far has been brilliant. I can’t wait to play our first league game to showcase our talent as a newly established team and make our mark in the WNL.”