Defining success: The Rovers Women and me

Saturdays at Tallaght

In football, success means different things to different people. Much like life, it’s all about perspective.

For the Arsenals of this world, success is measured in silverware, record-breaking seasons, and revenue.

For others, its survival in the top flight or securing a much coveted place in Europe.

For one person, their definition of success may be landing a job. For another, it’s starting a family. For someone else, it could be living to fight another year after a life-threatening diagnosis.

Closer to home — with Shamrock Rovers Women — I see success every weekend on the pitch and throughout the West Stand.

Yes, from a league standings point of view, we’re sitting fourth — with rivals Shelbourne in the absolute ascendancy.

But to assess our season solely on that basis would be to miss the bigger picture — and not just because there are still two cups up for grabs and over a third of the league campaign yet to play.

We entered the 2025 season having lost several key players — the electric Lia O’Leary and the formidable Jess Hennessy, to name just two.

Those departures could easily have derailed us.

Instead, what I’ve seen — in a squad guided by a coaching staff with a clear growth mindset and genuine dedication to development — is resilience, character, and potential in spades.

Young academy players haven’t just stepped up — they’ve absolutely shone.

Ella Kelly’s pace on the left is electrifying. Her fearlessness when taking on seasoned defenders is admirable.

Keelin Comiskey is making the left-back role her own, and her connection with Kelly is beginning to echo that of Joy Ralph and O’Leary from seasons past.

Maria Reynolds has assumed command at centre-back, leading the line with poise and maturity beyond her years. A future star in the making.

And Joy Ralph? She’s evolved in her role as a centre forward — her one-touch link-up play, intelligent movement, and relentless work rate as she drops into midfield making her performances a joy (pun intended) to watch.

So as we reflect on our season so far, keep this in your minds eye:

Maria Reynolds striding forward from the back or shepherding attackers out of play.

Scarlett Herron winning crunching aerial headers on a loop.

Melissa O’Kane turning defenders inside out.

Ruesha Littlejohn’s experience. Her vision, attitude energy.

Steph Zambra transitioning from player to assistant coach.

Young fans peppered throughout the West Stand with players' names emblazoned across their backs.

Each of the above are stellar successes in their own right.

And for me? Writing about these players, bringing their individual styles to life as I capture their journey — that, too, is a kind of success.

Last year, with a little more than a vision and a passion for this team, I started the Rovers Women fanzine.

I reached out to the Tallaght Echo and pitched a match report column, which is now published weekly.

That work opened new doors — I connected with like-minded people who have genuinely been some of the most encouraging people I've ever met (even non Rovers fans!) and have since been given the opportunity to recreate the drama of matchday with the Tales From The East Stand podcast.

I’ve learned how to record and edit short clips of the squad and their highlights — some of which have surpassed 1,000 views, with a few topping 2,000.

Some people might point to that and say: “That’s success.”

And in a sense it is.

But true success is felt in the smaller less flashy moments. Those truly are the most meaningful.

Like when the parent of a player hears your voice by chance, recognizes it and turns around in the Jodi Stand to shake your hand.

When they consistently share or like your content.

It's felt in the confidence that comes from the time you've poured into your subject—hours that seem to fly by—knowing you could talk to anyone about it, even if no one ever asks (though thankfully, some have!)

It’s continuing to believe — in women’s football, in this team, and in myself.

Its in the knowing that the eleven that take to the turf on any given Saturday will never stop running regardless of the end result.

And the best part about it all?

We’re only just getting started