DLR Waves welcome back Nadine Clare for 2025 campaign

On Monday evening, DLR Waves announced the return of their former player, Nadine Clare, hinting on their social media channel that they may have completed their recruitment for 2025.

Clare spent four years with the Waves before heading across the city to join Shelbourne in 2023. However, despite her qualities as an accomplished central midfielder, she never quite broke into the Reds’ first team during her two years there.

Those qualities will perhaps be more appreciated at the UCD Bowl, where she will line up alongside Isobel Finnegan, Keelin Dodd, and Neema Nyangasi, who has only recently returned to action after a serious eye injury.

The Waves have brought in five new players in total, including goalkeeper Niamh Richardson, who joins from Peamount United. She will compete for the keeper’s shirt with established players Eve Badana, who is beginning her seventh season at Belfield, and Rugilė Auškalnytė, who is heading into her fifth.

Last year’s defence remains in place, with Amber Cosgrove, Jess Gleeson, and Chloe McCarthy all committing for 2025, while the left-back spot will be contested between youngster Leah Donnelly and Eve Conheady. Another new signing, Jodie McQuillan, adds further defensive options.

Wingers Robyn Bolger and Abbie Brophy are back for the Waves, while young strikers Aisling Meehan and Shannon Coady will be joined by returning hero Michelle Doonan, who was the Waves’ top scorer last season until she left for a short stint at Peamount.

Manager Laura Heffernan now has 26 players signed up for the new season, including returnees Rebecca McMahon, Rachel Doyle, Nadine Raymond, Lauren Strong, Clíodhna Donnelly, Amy Ryan, and Taylor White. Ciara Richardson rounds off the new arrivals, having joined from Shamrock Rovers’ U19s.