Alana Moran remains hopeful Galway WFC can continue to develop talent from the west of Ireland.
In recent years several teenagers have progressed through the underage ranks to feature prominently for Galway WFC in the WNL.
With Phil Trill now part of Alan Murphy’s backroom team there has been a change in the academy structure, but Galway WFC want to stay competing for national underage honours.
“It is slightly different, we have a lot of new faces coming in this year with Joe Treacy taking over the U17s and Henry Williams taking over the U19s with me getting involved with both of those squads,” Alana Moran, Galway WFC academy manager, says. “Hopefully we can just bring on the girls to continue the work that has been done over the last number of years.
Significant work has been carried out by the club which has been reflected with silverware. “One hundred per cent, last year the U19s did the double and the previous year the U17s, the talent in Galway is phenomenal.” Moran replies. “With the whole new structure with the underage coming through we just need to grab those players, to keep developing them, progressing on what the club has been doing. That is key for us this year.”
Moran acknowledges the efforts of so many local clubs, who have occupied central roles in Galway WFC’s improvement.
“The clubs - you have to give credit back to them - we wouldn't have the players if they weren't developed properly at their clubs,” Moran says. “Fair dues to all of the clubs, hopefully now going forward we can just build that relationship with clubs.
“If we help develop those clubs and players we will get the players playing at the highest level. Some of those players can play at international level even going across the water in the near future.”
A former Galway WFC player, Moran is encouraged by how the WNL is getting better too. “It has come on leaps and bounds,” Moran responds.
“To see the difference from then until now it is absolutely massive. Now you have the strength and conditioning, the video analysis, all those key aspects of the game. It is growing and growing. It is good to see we are going in conjunction with the lads. The lads had this for a number of years, it is good to see we are getting the same benefit now.”
An analyst with the Republic of Ireland U17s, Moran is delighted that an increasing number of females are being afforded coaching opportunities at every level.
“Before you wouldn't see a girl coaching, now there are loads of female people coaching,” Moran says. “It is a credit to the FAI for putting in the female only courses to give girls an opportunity. To give the young girls a chance to see more females getting involved.
“They are never going to be playing until their 40s or 50s so if they love the sport now why not get involved in coaching so they can stay involved for a longer period.”
**Listen to the full interview with Alana Moran on this week’s ‘Cian on Sport’ podcast available on Soundcloud, Spotify, and Apple Podcasts.
