Raheny's Grant aiming for more silverware

In recent weeks the Women’s National League in Ireland has experienced huge publicity due to a wonder goal by Peamount United striker Stephanie Roche. Roche’s goal attracted interest from all over the world, and led to the 24 year-old becoming an internet sensation in a matter of days.

It was interesting to find that Roche herself declared that goals as good as her own, are scored every week in the women’s domestic league. In fact, during the first televised Women’s FAI Cup final last week, two superb goals were scored; one by Castlebar Celtic’s Deirdre Doherty, and another by Raheny United’s Ciara Grant.

For Grant, it was a rare goal from the combative midfielder, but a sweet one at that.

Speaking to extratime.ie, the 20 year-old laughed: “It was a very special goal indeed.

“I remember looking for Caroline (Thorpe) to pass me the ball, and she didn’t, but luckily, she got a second chance and slipped me through. My first touch set me up well, and I just had time to look up and see the ‘keeper off her line, so I just went for it!”

Speaking about Roche’s goal, Grant was keen to point out that only good can come from the added attention to the league.

“I don’t think it has done any harm.

“It has obviously got a lot more people talking about the league, and the standard of the women’s game here. I think the combination of Stephanie’s goal and the televised coverage of our game has changed a lot of people’s opinions on women’s football.

“It was great to hear people and players compliment the standard and fitness of our game, and hopefully it has done enough to secure another final in the Aviva next year.”

Indeed, Grant’s goal set Raheny up to win the Aviva decider, and the Letterkenny-native was understandably delighted to have claimed the club’s first silverware of the season.

“This has definitely been the highlight of my club career so far. We played in the Champions League during the summer, and were really unlucky not to get out of our group. But playing in front of friends and family at the Aviva Stadium was something really special.

“The season has been going really well so far, as we’re undefeated to date. It’s still early days though because of the winter season, but with four games to go before Christmas, I’m hoping to maintain our run and hopefully be able to start the second half of the season at the top of the table.”

Regarded as one of the bright lights of Irish women’s football, Grant recently made her senior debut for Sue Ronan’s side, and the UCD student is making steady progress in emulating more experienced members of the Irish squad. However, with college work increasing each year, Grant admits that it is a bit of a balancing act this season, managing her on-field and off-field commitments.

“I’m in my third year of college now, and things are starting to get a lot more difficult. Although the women’s game here is amateur, I still try to train as much as I can, essentially as a full-time professional.

“I’m very lucky to be a part of the Ad Astra Academy in UCD, which allows me to avail of great strength and conditioning coaches as well as the gym, and it lets me balance these with my class schedules.

“With training being really six days from seven, I give myself a day to rest. I’m not complaining though – it’s busy but manageable. But it’s something I need to maintain if I aim to stay at the top my game.”

It’s safe to say that Ciara Grant will be at the top of her game for a long time to come.