It has been a decade stuffed with splendid goals in the WNL for Lynsey McKey, who continues to deliver for Galway WFC.
McKey has netted six in the 2021 campaign for Galway, who face Cork City at Eamonn Deacy Park on Saturday afternoon.
That fixture commences the final round of league fixtures for Galway with McKey eager that Stephen Lally’s charges finish with a flourish.
“It has been a mixed season really,” McKey says about a demanding spell for the club. Improvements, though, have been evident during the past month. “Finally we are starting to get better performances in, I think going into the Cork game now, our big focus is on getting a performance, but also getting the three points,” she adds.
“We need to start getting points on the board. Considering it is the last few games of the season now, we want to finish on a high.”
Billy Clery, who gave distinguished service to Galway WFC, stepped down as manager, while the player turnover has been high during the year too. Hope, though, is still in the air that the emerging and established players can deliver.
“We had a discussion there a few weeks ago, I think 10 players have left us from the start of the season,” McKey says.
“That is crazy and obviously we have a new management, but what additions we have between Julie Ann [Russell], Meabh De Burca, and Emma Starr, it is huge. They have made a big difference in the last few weeks. Against the likes of Shels and Wexford I felt we performed a lot better. Hopefully now in the remaining games we can get a good few wins under our belt.
“The talent coming through with Galway is amazing between the 19s and the 17s. It is a big step up so it might just take them a few years to get up to senior level. The talent is there and mixed with the experienced players we have brought in, it is only going to help us in the long run.”
How much has the WNL developed? “There have been improvements, but more improvements can happen,” McKey responds.
“Before poor Kilkenny and Limerick used to be getting eight, nine nil scorelines. Now you have got Treaty, you have Athlone, who are all competing with the big teams. I think a lot of it is to do with the underage set-up, the 17s and 19s, the fact that they can play at national league level is only going to help them when they get to senior level. It is a step up, but they are used to playing week in, week out against the best players in the country.
“I think it is only a stepping stone, more can be done, and it can be improved. I started with Cork City when I was 19, you were just thrown straight in at senior level. It was sink or swim, you were either able to play at that level or not.
“Thankfully I was and stayed injury free, I have been lucky enough to play against and with great players throughout the last few years and here is hoping I have a few years left in me.”
Growing up in Clare, football always occupied a central role in McKey’s life. “It was massive, it was something I wanted to do every day,” she reflects.
“My local club was Lifford, it is something similar to Salthill Devon. That is who you played with, it was your local club. We got to compete at national level for a few years. Then going to college soccer was actually a big thing for me. I was fortunate enough to play on a great team in college with UL - I played with Julie Ann, Karen Duggan, Ruth Fahy - we had a great team. I was lucky enough to go to America for a few semesters on a scholarship.
“So soccer was always an influence in college and everything. I was very lucky that Cork City set up and that I was able to start in the Women's National League with them.
“You are now just getting more opportunities at a younger age level. I say to the girls when they come in to enjoy it, that it is only going to get better and better for them, to take it all in.”
McKey has an appreciation for what is happening on and off the field of play. Galway WFC is trying to put together a sustainable structure. Every little thing helps and matters.
“There is no denying, we are all very disappointed with how the season has gone,” McKey says honestly.
“For me it has been a very disappointing season, but all you can do is to keep going. The talent is there between the experienced people we have got in and the underage coming through, Galway definitely has the talent.
“It is just a matter of time before we bridge that gap. Peamount and Shels are constantly pushing the levels, it is about the rest of the teams trying to catch up to them.
“The stuff that goes on in the background to constantly improve like the facilities, we have also got a nutritionist brought in recently. Simple things like that will always improve you as a player.”
McKey continues to set standards with Galway WFC so it promises to be interesting watching the upcoming weeks and months of football unfold.
**Listen to the full interview with Lynsey McKey on this week's 'Cian on Sport' podcast available on Soundcloud, Spotify, and Apple Podcasts.
