Down's Jessica Foy combining twin sporting passions

When she made history to become the first female professional soccer player in Northern Ireland, Glentoran captain Jessica Foy made sure to get one special clause included in the deal.

Usually when these contracts are drawn up, a pro athlete will be prohibited from playing other sports but the Down star was not going to turn her back on the Mourne County and Ladies Gaelic football.

"It was in the contract, naturally like any professional contract, about not playing another sport," said Foy.

"But it was something that we discussed at the time of the contract and they appreciated how important it is for me to play. They said they will accommodate it and work with me as much as they can.

"Obviously if there's a clash, soccer will take precedence this year, hopefully at the minute it looks like there is the room there that I am still able to play both, thankfully."

The 26-year-old Carryduff native was a late-comer to soccer. She began her career at Our Lady and St Patrick’s College Knock before she helped them make history when they won the Northern Ireland Schools Cup in 2012.

"It does take a lot of, I don't like to say sacrifices because it is something I do enjoy doing, but you do have to make a lot of hard decisions."

Foy’s team won 4-3 that day and she scored all four goals, which included two stunning free-kicks. The IFA scouts had already been in touch prior to that and she was in the Glentoran ranks en route to taking the captain’s armband, turning professional and going on to feature for Northern Ireland too.

But Foy had also hit the ground running with Carryduff in the Ladies football ranks; she went on to represent Down at underage and made her senior debut over a decade ago.

There was little doubt that both sports had to