Kilkenny United WFC excited for WNL debut

At today’s Women’s National League launch in Abbotstown, the media had its first opportunity to meet the Kilkenny United ladies squad and Extratime.ie spoke to Coach John McLean about his experiences of the day and his thoughts on the season ahead.

“It’s absolutely brilliant to be involved at the launch here today and everything from the FAI and Continental Tyres - It’s been absolutely great today, they’re continuing with the [Exhibition] game that's going on here now

“We’re really looking forward to being in the league, senior football back into Kilkenny and Buckley Park back open - so it’s an exciting time regarding girls football and soccer in general in Kilkenny.”

With the success of Wexford Youths during the 2014-15 season, attracting players from the South-East region club was always be a challenge, but McLean explained that while the process started slow they have tapped into the resources of neighbouring county’s as well as the resources within Kilkenny.

“Everyone knows that Wexford Youths team is there and they’ve been the only real team in the South-East, but we tapped into the Carlow, Tipperary, Kilkenny and we’ve one or two from Waterford. It started off slow but we’re really getting there now.”

As the season rapidly approaches, the Kilkenny coach concedes it's been hard integrating lots of new faces to the group, but he explains come the first game in the Shield his side will be as prepared as can come.

“Pre-season went well a lot of work with the girls, integrating a lot of girls into the squad and as I said it's been kind of slow, but our main focus has always been the sixth of September away to Cork City. So look were still on that focus, but we’re two weeks away - we will continue the work and we’ll be ready when we walk out in Bishopstown to play Cork.”

When entering a new club in the Women’s National League, it is important that you are aware there are huge challenges that lie ahead and for the 2015-16 Kilkenny is aiming to ensure they are competitive in the league while also attempting to build their fan base.

“Our remit at the start of the season is to consolidate ourselves in the league, we’re not looking for anything amazing - saying we’re going to win the league. We want to be competitive, we want to be there or there abouts. We want to give good performances for the public that are going to be watching it and building a fan base up.

“Hopefully a few nice results will help to get ‘bums on seats’ and the people get out and see good the women’s games are - there is no point us saying it need people to come out and see it for themselves.”