Jessica Hennessy desperate to kick on with club & country

Athlone Town's Jessica Hennessy is dreaming of club glory and international recognition ahead of the EVOKE.ie FAI Women's Cup final this Sunday.

The 6'1" centre-half has been superb for the midlanders this season, turning in a string of massive performances in their quest to win the double.

Athlone's unlikely - yet hugely impressive - push for the title ended unsuccessfully last Saturday night when Shelbourne pipped them by a point, but they could still have the last laugh when the two teams square up in the cup decider at Tallaght Stadium.

Hennessy was also called into the Republic of Ireland's home-based training squad back in August, and is desperate to continue her excellent progress.

"It was a little bit of a shock to be honest," she said of her Ireland call-up.

"I was enjoying my soccer and I was delighted to be called in. It happens once a month. Me, Muireann Devaney and Emily Corbet, the three of us headed up.

"It was just a training session; it was really good. Different girls from the League, DLR Waves and Shels etc. It's a one and a half-hour/two-hour training session and I really enjoyed it. There is one next week after the cup final because there are international games coming up.

"I was fierce excited but was nervous coming up. It’s a big step up but I was buzzing and couldn’t wait to get involved.

"All the players are really targeting maybe not going to the World Cup but getting onto the team in a few years. It is a massive step for women’s football in Ireland, everyone is buzzing for it."

Tommy Hewitt brought the Westmeath 21-year-old to Athlone in 2021 [Hennessy studies at Athlone IT] and she's been a crucial part of their progress ever since.

"It's mad," she reflected. "At the start of the season, we set out