Galway FC striker Sinead Taylor is the Bus Éireann Women’s National League Player of the Month for September.
The brilliant Tullamore native has emerged as a fantastic addition to the league as newcomers Galway got off to a solid start to life in the highest level of women’s club football in Ireland.
Taylor, 23, bagged six league goals in as many games for her club and is relishing life in the Bus Éireann Women’s National League.
“It’s good for the whole team for one of us to be recognised. For a new team I think we’re doing well and progressing each week,” said Taylor.
“Everybody should want to play at this level. Some of us played in the Dublin league with Bealnamulla FC and that was great but we want to play at the highest standard we can. If we keep improving with such a young squad I think we can challenge the likes of Raheny and Peamount eventually.
“I was surprised when I heard that I’d won player of the month because with Stephanie Roche’s goal going around the world I thought she’d definitely get it. My team-mates were delighted for me but have been slagging me off for being a diva!”
Taylor is an extremely talented sports woman. She has represented Offaly in gaelic football and camogie and recently was called into the Ireland Women’s Sevens rugby squad after impressing with her local club Buccaneers.
“I only got into rugby by chance. When we played in the Dublin League that was in the summer and I played rugby in the off-season each winter. I usually play centre in rugby 15-a-side but I was then asked to go to an Ireland sevens camp. They are looking to build a squad to qualify for the Olympic Games in Rio.
“I like to play a few sports, it keeps you busy. I also play sport in the Army which is good, we recently played RAF in an international game which was great. We won 2-1.”
Taylor was born in Blackburn, Lancashire, but moved over to Ireland when she was 13 to live in Edenderry. Her family background is in Ireland and she would love to one day get the chance to play soccer for her country.
“I’m going to try juggling the two sports for as long as I can. I’ve been playing football since I was six and I don’t want to give up something I’ve been doing all my life. It would be amazing to think I might get a chance with Ireland one day, that would be a dream come true,” she added.
“I was with Blackburn Rovers for a while underage and I’m a big Rovers fan although they haven’t had the best of times recently.”
The Athlone-based army private is also hoping to get an overseas posting like Lebanon or Syria at some point in the future, so there’s no doubt that Sinead Taylor is a player in a hurry at present.
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