Ellen Molloy

Ellen Molloy (born 5 June 2004) is an Irish footballer who plays as a midfielder for Wexford Youths of the Women's National League (WNL) and the Republic of Ireland women's national team.

Ellen Molloy
Personal information
Date of birth (2004-06-05) 5 June 2004
Place of birth Kilkenny, Ireland[1]
Position(s) Midfielder
Club information
Current team
 Wexford Youths
Number 20
Youth career
Thomastown United
Senior career*
Years Team Apps (Gls)
2019– Wexford Youths (8)
National team‡
2020– Republic of Ireland 2 (0)
* Senior club appearances and goals counted for the domestic league only and correct as of 21:26, 23 December 2020 (UTC)
‡ National team caps and goals correct as of 21:26, 23 December 2020 (UTC)

Club career

In a decorated career in youth soccer, Molloy enjoyed success with Thomastown United and Presentation Secondary School, Kilkenny.[2][3] She was already seen as an exceptional prospect when she transferred to reigning WNL champions Wexford Youths in July 2019.[4]

Molloy debuted for Wexford Youths on the first day of the delayed 2020 Women's National League season, scoring two goals and serving one assist in a 4–1 home win over Bohemians.[5] She won the WNL Player of the Month award for August 2020 and was praised by Wexford Youths coach Tom Elmes: "She has hit the ground running. She is versatile and can play in a number of different roles and she's done really well for us."[6]

In September 2020 Molloy scored twice as Wexford inflicted a first defeat of the season on champions Peamount United.[7] She scored another two goals, including a "goal of the season contender" against Galway on 31 October 2020.[8] At the WNL Awards in December 2020, Molloy was named Young Player of the Season and named in the Team of the Season.[9]

International career

Molloy scored an acclaimed goal for the Republic of Ireland women's national under-17 football team against Iceland in February 2020 which went viral on social media and brought her to wider attention.[10]

Senior Republic of Ireland national team coach Vera Pauw called up Molloy for the first time on 28 August 2020, for the UEFA Women's Euro 2022 qualifier against Germany on 19 September 2020.[11] Molloy made her senior international debut in Ireland's next match, against Ukraine in Kyiv on 23 October 2020.[12] She was an 86th-minute substitute for Harriet Scott in Ireland's 1–0 defeat.[13]

References
  1. Hannigan, Mary (19 September 2020). "Girls in green: meet the Irish women's soccer team". The Irish Times. Retrieved 6 November 2020.
  2. "Spotlight - Ellen Molloy". Women's National League (Ireland). 8 June 2020. Retrieved 12 September 2020.
  3. O'Keeffe, Shane (20 July 2020). "Presentation Kilkenny's Ellen Molloy has been nominated for FAI award". KCLR 96FM. Retrieved 12 September 2020.
  4. McGuire, Ken (16 July 2019). "Wexford Youths WFC announce signing of Kilkenny's Ellen Molloy". KCLR 96FM. Retrieved 12 September 2020.
  5. "A Special Talent - Ellen Molloy". Women's National League (Ireland). 11 August 2020. Retrieved 12 September 2020.
  6. "Wexford Youths' Ellen Molloy wins WNL Player of Month gong for August". RTÉ Sport. 11 September 2020. Retrieved 12 September 2020.
  7. "Wexford Youths inflict first defeat of the season on champions Peamount". RTÉ Sport. 5 September 2020. Retrieved 23 December 2020.
  8. "WNL wrap: Ellen Molloy hits goal of the season contender; Maria O'Sullivan sent off in Cork City loss". Irish Examiner. 1 November 2020. Retrieved 23 December 2020.
  9. Duffy, Emma (20 December 2020). "Peamount stalwart and Wexford teenage sensation win big at end-of-season awards". The42.ie. TheJournal.ie. Retrieved 23 December 2020.
  10. Whelan, Nathan (16 February 2020). "Watch: Ireland U17 star Ellen Molloy scores glorious solo goal". Extra.ie. Retrieved 12 September 2020.
  11. "WNT Squad selected for Germany test". Football Association of Ireland. 28 August 2020. Retrieved 29 August 2020.
  12. Cribben, Robert (23 October 2020). "16 year old Ellen Molloy debuts as Republic of Ireland fall to Ukraine in European Championship Qualifier". Kilkenny People. Retrieved 24 October 2020.
  13. "Ukraine 1-0 Republic of Ireland". UEFA. 23 October 2020. Retrieved 24 October 2020.
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