Kate's looking to build on Cork City debut

BY JOSEPH McSWEENEY 

BANDON teenager Kate O’Donovan (17) is looking to build on her recent national league debut with Cork City Women’s FC.

The Coláiste na Toirbhirte student came off the bench in the recent draw against Kilkenny before making her first start in the 4-1 league loss away to UCD Waves. 

The midfielder also featured as a used sub in last weekend’s 1-0 loss at home to Peamount in the league.

‘I was delighted to get off the bench for the Kilkenny game as I’ve been itching to get going and onto the field,’ she said.

‘I was extremely excited to find out I was going to be starting against UCD but a little apprehensive as well as I was playing at right full back, a position I’m not overly familiar with despite playing centre half at Gaynor Cup level under Charlie Lynch.

‘I found it hard throughout definitely in this game as UCD are up there as one of the best teams in the country. Having said that, I think as a back four we dealt with the pressure really well for most of the game, especially in the second half. It seems a cliché to say it but the score-line really did not reflect the game and strong performance we put in.’

O’Donovan previously played with Bandon AFC and has represented Cork in Gaynor Cup squads before joining the Cork City WFC Academy last season under Charlie Lynch and progressing to the senior set-up this year. 

While O’Donovan was sad to see manager Niall O’Regan go, as he took up a job offer from the FAI, she’s delighted to see the management team continue with Frank Kelleher stepping up into the management position.

‘Niall is definitely a loss for us as a squad as we all loved playing for him and he was an excellent manager to work with – but Frank stepping up, it’s such a good continuation as his training methods are excellent and the whole coaching team has stayed in place alongside him,’ she said.