Leanne Kiernan revelling in 'wild' journey from farming to Anfield

The Liverpool star will come up against her housemate when Ireland face Wales in the Euro playoff. 

Leanne Kiernan at the Republic of Ireland WNT Media Day at FAI HQ, Abbotstown. Pic: ©INPHO/Morgan Treacy

When there’s so much to cherish about the present, Leanne Kiernan is reluctant to foresee a better future.

She’s the daughter of Cavan pig farmers plucked out of college as a teen for a professional career abroad that’s brought her to Liverpool.

Three years at West Ham United, another three on Merseyside completed; the common thread being manager Matt Beard.

Like most female players, she’s overcome a serious injury – one which curbed her World Cup dream – but has developed into an established starter in the Women’s Super League.

It was only when a film crew from the FAI visited her recently that the privilege of touching the ‘This is Anfield’ sign on the way out of the famed tunnel struck her.

“It’s actually wild, isn’t it?,” says the 25-year-old, absorbing her ascent.

“Emma from the FAI wanted to go see the sign and get it on video. I’d never go on TV thinking about myself but did look at the picture. When I saw it, it’s a bit mad. Who would have thought?” 

Many in the know had a hunch.

Kiernan burst on the scene with a hat-trick in the 2016 FAI Cup final. Soon she was elevated to the senior Ireland squad by Colin Bell and the transition to full-time football was essential if her rawness was to be refined.

“Everybody has this dream of being a professional footballer but I was in farming college when the call came to go abroad,” she adds.

“Deep down, it was never really in my mind. I always just did what I enjoyed. I probably didn’t think I’d get this far.

“I know I’ve a long way to go and dreams to fulfil but I try to live in the present, We all reflect on what we can do better and what we’re happy with in life.

“That Anfield picture was a nice moment – after which I went: ‘wow, that’s a bit weird’.

“People from Cavan come over to men’s games, take a picture and tag me on social media. Maybe my parents see it more than me but yeah, it’s wild.” 

That’s one way of describing scenes inevitable on Tuesday at Lansdowne Road should European Championship qualification be sealed.

Kiernan knows the playoff opposition better than most, primarily from being teammates with two Welsh players.

One of them is Ceri Holland, whose extra-time winner against Slovakia last month set up this decider. They’ve been homemates since Kiernan moved north from London in 2021.

"To be honest, we don't really talk about football at home,” she explains.

“Because it is our job, when we come home from training and matches, there’s no football talk. Other stuff but not football.

“I didn't know who she was when the club moved me in with Ceri but it has worked out well.

"Obviously it is difficult playing against your teammates in one of the biggest games of my life. There has probably been a bit of tension there throughout.

"I try to switch off when away from the club but Ceri’s whole family is coming over to Dublin so I am sure I'll bump into them.” 

As for the other, Gemma Evans? “Ah, she’s gas. Gemma is a very good player and was just like: ‘I’ll see you at the game.’” 

Their familiarity also provided an insight into the fire driving the Dragons.

“Niamh Fahey and the other Irish girls came back to Liverpool whereas Ceri came back and hadn’t,” noted Kiernan about the contrasting emotions from the World Cup playoffs two years ago.

“I respected that. She knows how it feels and it's probably not a nice feeling. Wales have it in the back of their minds that they were very close and I’m sure they’ll use that as fuel.”