Creagh wins player award for April

Raheny FC’s Rebecca Creagh has been named as Bus Éireann Women’s National League Player of the Month award recipient for April. The attacking midfielder scored eight goals during the season and was a constant threat to visiting defences as Raheny took Peamount United to the last day of the season before narrowly losing out in the race for the inaugural Women’s National League title.

Speaking to Extratime.ie after winning her award, Creagh was quick to praise her team mates along with the management team at Raheny.

"It's always nice to be recognized on a personal level. I made it my business to put a lot of hard work in this year in order to challenge myself and to hopefully achieve goals I had set. I really couldn't have done it without my team-mates and managers though." 

Creagh has also been named on the Bus Éireann Women’s National League All Star Team, as well as being nominated for the Player of the Season award alongside Seana Cooke, Sara Lawlor, Emma Mullin, Denise O’Sullivan and Stephanie Roche. The Raheny captain was surprised but delighted to be nominated.

"It's a little bit overwhelming if I'm honest. I genuinely didn't think I would be in the running for the honours and I didn't exactly concentrate on them either. Just worked hard through the season trying to give it my all for the team, so to be recognized for that feels really good."

Raheny finished second in the league and also lost out in the semi-final of the Cup to Peamount United. Creagh was pleased with the Northsider's first season in the National League.

"It was a close call in the end. I felt we did well this year. We got a good few new players into the squad but we all gelled well from the start. We have a great coach in Ger McDermott who worked really hard on new formations and playing two and three touch football, having us passing and moving, something a lot may not expect from a Women's game. We just dropped silly points and arguably didn't take chances when we had them, but next year is already in our thoughts! I felt it was a good inaugural season overall and [the league is] well overdue."
 

The Women's National League has been a long time coming and Creagh feels the league will only get stronger. She would like to see an increase in the number of teams in order to reduce the repetitive nature a six team league will inevitably produce.

"I can definitely see the league progressing. There are a lot of great young players coming through the U17's who will be eligible to play in the league soon which is exciting. People also need to remember a lot of the teams only came together for the league so it's been one huge learning process for everyone involved. You could see how teams improved week after week so its promising for the future.

"I would love to see more teams come in. It needs to be more competitive and not repetitive meeting the same teams all the time, so I'd definitely love more."
 

With the Women's season now over, would Rebecca be heading to any League of Ireland grounds over the close season?

"Em well I'm a Shamrock Rovers fan myself so I'll be keeping an eye on them this year hoping they can be as successful as last year, it hasn't been amazing recently though! If we get decent weather I might even go to a few games!"

And on EURO 2012, who did Creagh think would win the competition?

"It's wishful thinking Ireland will go all the way but stranger things have happened! It would be amazing if they did! Ah I have to go with Spain for Euros in all honesty, it's going to be a great summer for country either way!"

Extratime.ie will be at the WNL Awards and the Women's National League Cup Final, be sure and visit for all the news and action.