Lia O'Leary - an analysis of the Robin as she takes flight

“Charging towards the North Stand End, O’Leary prodded for the opener, feinting like a young Prince Naseem as she hypnotised the Belfield Belles.”

WLOI Shamrock Rovers v DLR Waves

April 2024

Special thanks to Mark McDermott for the images of Lia O'Leary which he captured during Rovers home game this season against Wexford FC

#11

#11(1999)

When I was eleven years of age, I watched Ryan Giggs dance a merry jig beyond multiple Gunners along the left lane in United's iconic 2-1 FA Cup semi-final comeback against The Arsenal.

One. Two. Three. FOUR.

A stream of red and white shirts were rendered helpless as United's number 11 snaked out of reach of their outstretched boots.

Giggsy’s winning goal (a missile fired far beyond the reach of the outstretched arms of giant David Seaman) was the final flourish to round off what was a symphonic sequence of play. 

Twenty-four years later (has it really been that long?!), I am lucky enough to witness another number 11 weaving down a left channel—this time in person...

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#11 (2024)

I’ll be the first to admit that at the beginning of 2024, when, with notebook in hand, I journeyed to the FAI HQ to write a match report on an international friendly, the name Lia O’Leary was foreign to me.

Knowing what I know now, I have an insight into how former flat earthers feel when they are confronted with satellite images that prove beyond dispute that the earth is in fact round—ignorant and a little embarrassed.

Others had heard of O’Leary, of course.

Case in point, the former Shelbourne talent was one of the first names that the FAI media team mentioned when they floated the idea of coverage for the Under 19's women's team. 

While that opportunity didn't materialise, a volunteer role with Extra Time and Shamrock Rovers would ensure that I not only heard the name Lia O’Leary again, but saw her play live on multiple occasions.

With the announcement of the marauding wingers departure to The Championship, I'm delighted that I, along with many others who follow and support the league, had the opportunity to watch O'Leary rip it up in the Women's League of Ireland.

Here's a breakdown of the young stars best attributes, along with some of her most memorable moments as taken from my match reports.

Strength and Power

Like all top-class wingers, O’Leary combines deft footwork and physicality to leave chasing defenders in the dust.

Springing free from an opposition player who, having been beaten for pace and finesse resorts to the cynical foul, O’Leary marches on.

There will be no tumbles or protestations here.

In The Hoops 1-1 draw with Shelbourne at Tolka last season, the former Tallaght titan muscled the formidable Jess Gargan out of contention to pick up a well-deserved point for Rovers.

She too forced Galway United's granite defender Therese Kinnevey to expend everything in the tank when The Hoops and The Tribeswomen danced.

The truth is that there are very few defenders that can keep O’Leary at bay when she sets her sights on either that inswinging cross or the goal frame.

For those select few that do, a week's bed rest surely awaits.

Report snippets

‘Just like the Lithuanian timezone, O’Leary was a beat ahead throughout. The number eleven would muscle past former Hoop Jess Gargan and control the ball with her chest before striking it on the bounce with her weaker right into the bottom left-hand corner.’

All Island Cup: Shelbourne v Shamrock Rovers

July 2024

‘The Portmarnock native did well to muscle past Katie Lawlee and deliver a low ball into the box to Ralph, who, lying in wait, skied the ball high and over the crossbar.’

WLOI: Shamrock Rovers v Treaty United

March 2024

Speed and Skill

Like an alert boxer, O’Leary keeps her opponents guessing by utilising both feet to dribble into space before turning on the afterburners.

Her ability to flip a passage of play on its head via a successful challenge in her team's final third and create a goal-scoring opportunity at the other end is why I often refer to her in my pieces as the ‘Portmarnock Phenom’.

O'Leary's work ethic along the left channel is matched only by that of her former skipper Aine O'Gorman as both players race to cover every blade of grass across the full 90'.

In May of this year I was lucky enough to speak to Sligo Rovers wingback Leah Kelly in a piece for Extra Time.

“Thinking of ones that you hate coming up against…” Kelly mused, “There are so many new players that have come in this season that I haven't even gotten to play against yet, but the likes of Lia O'Leary, I think she's unreal; she's so versatile, and she seems to have a brilliant attitude as well for her age.”

Couldn't agree more, Leah!

Report snippets

At The Showgrounds, in the shadow of the green hulk of Benbulben, Shamrock Rovers never looked in danger of losing - even when they went a goal down in the first half.

As the teams readied themselves for the kick-off, Sligo’s Leah Kelly watched Rovers marauding winger Lia O’Leary closely.

The Sligo native attempted to mark the ‘Portmarnock phenom’ tightly - no easy task (the clue is in the name.)

WLOI Sligo Rovers v Shamrock Rovers

June 2024

‘The Hoops then restarted their motor as O’Leary, in Need For Speed Hot Pursuit style, tore down the left channel—her strike on her preferred left in the 62nd from an obtuse angle just shaving the crossbar.

The set piece cleared, Lia O’Leary swirled a follow-up cross into the box that sailed dangerously close to Berlin’s top corner.

All-Island Cup Final:

Shamrock Rovers v Galway United

August 2024

‘That was until the electric charge of Lia O’Leary blitzing past not one, not two, but three Peamount players (who hit the deck as the number 11 weaved beyond their reach) sparked The Hoops to life.

“C'mon!” Budden exclaimed in approval as the marauding wingers' quick footwork sent each Pea sliding helplessly to the grass.'

WLOI: Peamount United v Shamrock Rovers 

September 2024

‘Lia O’Leary proved to be as evasive as her sun-cast shadow, the pacy winger shading the Crusaders number 3 and firing the ball across goal.’

All-Island Cup: Crusaders FC v Shamrock Rovers 

May 2024

Joy Ralph/Assists

Like all lone forwards, Greenhills goalslinger Joy Ralph (despite being inventive and pro-active in her own right) relies on quality delivery and link-up from those on the wing and via the heart of the pitch

Given The Hoops tendency to drive from the wing (the left in particular - just watch our last game against Shelbourne), link up between both Ralph and O'Leary proved vital last season - the two teenage sensations playing a key role in Rovers march up the league table following a less than ideal start.

Having excelled together alongside Aoife Kelly in the Euros at underage international level, the connection between the two attackers was there for all to witness - both players instinctively knowing the location of the other without so much as a glance. 

On the occasions that O’Leary provided Ralph with a swirling in swinging assist, the number 19 striker never failed to race across and celebrate with her teammate. 

Two future stars of the WNT, that's for sure.

Report snippets

In the 67th minute, the left winger (who earned her place in the LOI team of the week for her impressive performance in Drumcondra) had the Hoops' best chance to score when her sparring partner Ralph stretched to win a header and expertly controlled the ball with her chest. The number 19 raced inside the penalty area and lured the Shels backline, who forgot momentarily to protect their back post, where O’Leary had stealthily moved into position…

WLOI: Shelbourne v Shamrock Rovers 

March 2024

'A beautiful switch from O’Leary sailed across the plush Tallaght turf and found O’Gorman, who released a reverse pass to Ralph—the Greenhills native’s strike hitting the side

netting.'

WLOI: Shamrock Rovers v Bohemians 

September 2024

'The Hoops looked favourites to score on the counter as the minutes ticked by, Lia O’Leary and Ralph rumoured to have caused a temporary ESB outage in Old Bawn, so bright did they spark on the left channel.'

WLOI: Shamrock Rovers v Treaty United

April 2024

Precision point accuracy

And we round off with O'Leary's striking acumen.

Rarely (if ever) does O'Leary scuff or over run a ball.

Her timing is innate.

Despite the pace at which the number 11 tears down the channels, the former Hoop knows when to take that final touch before letting fly.

Her control of the ball is second to none

Right until the moment it hits the back of the net.

Report snippet:

'Rovers 3rd started from a Reynolds header which O’Leary took down with her chest.

The Portmarnock native caught the experienced Duggan out with one touch of her boot and found herself one-v-one with the keeper and calmly converted in the 87th.'

All Island Cup Quarter Final:

Shamrock Rovers v Peamount United

June 2024