With degree in the bag, Clancy sets sight on becoming Ireland's latest export

Aoibheann Clancy poses for a portrait. Pic: Stephen McCarthy/Sportsfile

Women’s football hasn’t developed to the stage whereby players can afford to leave academia behind.

Full-time football is attainable in the major countries around Europe but the salaries and career shelf-life is such that post-playing avenues are essential.

Limerick native Aoibheann Clancy chose to prioritise her degree at UCD before entering the market this summer to become Ireland’s latest export.

Having just emerged from her finals of a health and performance science degree, the 22-year-old has made herself available to broaden horizons.

“I can fully focus on football now and have something to fall back on, if need be,” the Shelbourne playmaker said from Ireland’s team base in Fota Island.

“There's a nice sense of security in that and I think the education part has been really important.

“I'd love to make the transition to England. It’s always been the goal to go into a full-time set-up.

“All along it's just been about being focused on balancing football, balancing college and getting that under my belt.” 

It’s unlikely she’d be part of Carla Ward’s international squad without utilising the resources available through her Ad Astra elite sports scholarship scheme.

Athletes successful in their applications have access to the college’s contemporary sports science facilities and Clancy was able to rectify the off-season rustiness by lining out for the UCD women’s team over the academic year.

“I had access to the high-performance gym there so there was a good balance of workload between Shels and UCD,” she explained.

“A lot of the work I do is just going out on to the pitch myself in UCD. Whether it's banging a ball off the wall or taking shots on a goal. Nothing crazy really, just working on the basics.

“I'm lucky enough that within my college schedule I actually did have the time to do that.

“I’d be training from Monday through to my game Saturday. Loading must be managed as well because there's no fun going out hell for leather every day.

“I tried to max my physical ability and bridge that gap because the contact hours aren't there in the women’s league even if the quality of players is really good.” 

Clancy’s cultured style has yet to be unleashed on the senior international fray, apart from her one cap as a substitute for Denise O’Sullivan in the 4-0 win over Morocco.

With local legend O’Sullivan and Emily Murphy suspended for the visit of Netherlands to Pairc Uí Chaoimh, there are spots up for grabs.

The player who developed through the Presentation Thurles School under former Cork City manager Barry Ryan would relish the opportunity of sampling competitive action in the final double-header of the World Cup qualifiers, which conclude away to France next Tuesday.

“I think mentally you have to come in here, know it's a World Cup qualifier but that Carla is picking you for a reason,” she reasoned.

“It's also a great privilege to be in the squad representing the League of Ireland. There’s a sense of responsibility about coming in and competing at this level. Hopefully I get to show that.”