Becky Cassin: 'We can build on this now, and for future seasons.'

Becky Cassin in action last weekend during Cork's 3-3 draw with Galway.

Becky Cassin in action last weekend during Cork's 3-3 draw with Galway. Credit: Steve Alfred (ETPhotos)

Cork City Women will play their first ever home league game at Turner’s Cross on Saturday and high-flying Shelbourne are the opposition. 

It is a massive game, not just in the context of the league, but for Irish women’s football as Cork City will be sending out a statement of unification between their male and female teams. 

Club captain Becky Cassin, who signed for the club in 2020 from Wexford Youths, will lead out the Rebel Army on this historical afternoon at Turner’s Cross. 

“I’m really excited for the game. We all are as a group,” she said, “We really do feel like we are one club. Alright, at the moment it is a little bit different because we both can’t be in Bishopstown as much. We have to share the clubhouse with the men, but not be there at the same time, because of COVID.

“We all feel on the same level. Our gear is the same. We all get the same amount of gear. Being in Turner’s Cross is huge, it makes us feel as professional as the men. This is a good start. We can build on this now, and for future seasons.

“The game is going to be a difficult, there’s no doubt about that. Shelbourne are a good team who have given us a tough time over the last couple of years. We’re really excited for this. The pitch is also in good nick. We’re really excited to get out there and get the ball moving.”

The game comes just a week after a superb strike from the City captain rescued a point for her team in Galway. The goal trended across the world of women’s football and has been watched by more than 31,000 people. 

“I’ve heard from a lot of people about the goal,” Becky explained, “It has been nice. It’s always nice to hear people saying well done. To be honest, I was just delighted we came away with a point, as it was a difficult game. It was far from our best performance. But, it was our first game of the season.

“I think our average age for the Galway game was 19.4, which is considerably young. Like, I was the oldest in the starting eleven and I’m twenty four! I think the result was a good point to come away with.”

This is Becky’s second season at the club and her sixth year in the Women’s National League. Before she put on a green jersey, Becky was an intricate part of the all-conquering Wexford team which won three league titles and three FAI Cups from 2015-2019.



Her pathway to success, which has brought her from the sunny south east to the Rebel County, has turned her into a natural leader in the dressing room.

“I’ve been around the league a good few years now so I think I have a good bit of experience. I always enjoy being in a leadership role. Obviously, I am still young with a lot of learning and development still left to do as a player, but I enjoy the leadership role.

“The club make it easy to be a leader because there are so many helpful people around. If you ever have a question to ask, there’s always someone. It doesn’t matter if you’re the captain, there’s always someone above you to ask.”

    About Dylan O'Connell

    Dylan is a freelance journalist based in Cork. He joined Extratime in 2016 and he covers games all across Ireland. His bylines include The Echo, Irish Independent, Irish Examiner, The 42, RTÉ Sport, and Irish … View Full Profile