Roma McLaughlin - It was difficult to leave Peamount

It’s been quite a year for Women’s National League player Roma McLaughlin. Having excelled in the Peamount United midfield during the 2015/16 season, the 18-year old was named Continental Tyres Women’s National League Young Player of the Year.

In September, the Greencastle native made her senior Republic of Ireland debut in a 1-0 loss against Portugal in Tallaght Stadium before going on to feature in Sue Ronan’s last game in charge of the Women’s National Team, a 2-1 victory over the Basque Country.              

A month later, she was a member of the Women’s U19 Republic of Ireland side that recorded three straight wins, scoring 14 without concession and topping their group in the Qualifying Round of the UEFA European Championship. Wins over Italy (2-0), FYR Macedonia (10-0) and Wales (2-0) booked passage through to face Finland, Scotland and Ukraine in the Elite phase of the competition.

Talking to Extratime.ie, McLaughlin was delighted with her International progress in 2016.

“This year has been great for me on the international stage having received my first senior cap against Portugal which was very special. It was great to take part in Sue’s [Ronan] last game as well. We qualified for the U19 Elite Phase which is in April and hopefully we can go all the way to the finals.”

For the 2017 season, McLaughlin has departed the club she began her WNL career with and moved to League and Cup winners Shelbourne Ladies FC. Whilst the move means European football for next season, it was still a hard choice to leave Peamount United.

“It was such a tough decision to leave Peamount because they've been so good to me and they really are a quality club; I've loved every minute of being with them. And they clearly showed last season that they are a top team and can challenge for the league.

“I knew it was obviously going to be tough but I thought I'd like to try something new and Shelbourne are a massive club they showed that by winning the league and cup last season.”

Just under seven months on from her award win, McLaughlin has once again been nominated for the Young Player of the Year award and was named in the Continental Tyres Team of the Season for the second year running.

“Winning the award last year definitely did drive me on. It was such an honour and I did not expect it. It was very special especially because it was other players in the league who voted for me. I was chuffed.”

With a new club to look forward to playing with, the under 19 Elite Phase, more senior International caps on the horizon and European club football, McLaughlin outlined to targets in 2017.

“My goals for this season are to do well at Shelbourne and improve as a player. At international level this is my last year underage and I would love if we could go and qualify for the European finals which take place in the summer.”

Extratime.ie will keep you up to date on the progress of Roma McLaughlin and all the WNL sides & Women’s International teams throughout 2017.