Galway WFC goalkeeper Abbiegayle Ronayne is “loving every minute of it” being back at Eamonn Deacy Park following her move from Athlone Town this season.
She spent the 2020 season with Galway as second choice behind Amanda Budden who has since gone on to win the WNL title with Shelbourne this past season, however Ronayne departed the Tribeswomen for Athlone Town for the 2021 season.
Speaking to FinalWhistle on the WNL show, she revealed how much she is enjoying her time with the club. “Everyone took me in so well and they are all so friendly and it is just great being back.”
When presented with the opportunity to go back to Galway, Ronayne found it to be a very difficult decision. “I loved my time at Athlone, and I was playing week in week out.”
She revealed how attending college in Galway was a big factor in her ultimate decision to move back, as travelling an hour to and from training a few nights a week would be too strenuous. “I didn’t want the burden of travelling.”
Speaking to Alan Murphy about his plans for Galway for the season ahead, the goalkeeper was impressed.
“I really liked his plan for the season and ideas. I felt that was the place I would develop and really push on my game.”
Ronayne added it was a “fantastic experience” playing for the college team and achieving glory winning the college league. She felt the fact that a lot of the girls had played together at u17 level with Galway helped the team bond and gel together.
“I think that was one of the reasons why we did so well. I think there is a lot of pride playing for your college. I had played with most of the players already.”
Regarding mixing football and college life, Ronayne admitted it is very flexible and that the Galway college coaching staff knew the players where already training 3/4 times a week. She praised manager Billy Clery for his man management looking after the girls when they needed time off for studying or from training sessions.
“He knew us, and we didn’t have to go to the volume of training sessions. He was very helpful, and it was all about time management.”
She went onto praise Clery more about his passion for women’s football in Galway trying to improve the football programme with the college and trying to promote the college through the women’s team.
“He is a massive reason why we are so successful.”
Galway currently occupy 6th spot in the Women’s National League, only behind DLR Waves on goal difference. They host Bohemians this Saturday, May 21st, before travelling to UCD to face DLR Waves on the 28th May in a big mid-table clash.
