IRELAND UNDERAGE STAR Della Doherty has made the move to Wexford Youths from reigning Women’s National League [WNL] double champions Peamount United.
Youths, league winners in 2017 and 2018, announced the news yesterday ahead of their 3-1 win over Athlone Town, with Doherty coming off the bench in the 78th minute to make her debut.
HUGE welcome to Della Doherty who has completed her transfer to Wexford Youths Women!
— Wexford Youths Women (@YouthsWomen) July 10, 2021
We give a big thanks to @Peamountutd for their assistance 👏🏼
Doherty is a hugely capable defender, part of Peamount's double winning side last year and has captained Ireland at underage pic.twitter.com/GTzexkyyMw
“We are thrilled to announce the signing of one of the most skilled and promising young players in the Women’s National League, Della Doherty,” a Wexford statement read.
“Della Doherty is a hugely capable and versatile defender, joining us from Peamount United.
“The Laois teenager has a stunning record already, having both been capped and captained Ireland at underage level.
“She has been a key player in an astonishingly successful Peamount defence in recent years, and now makes the transfer to Wexford Youths Women, joining fellow Laois women Kylie Murphy, Blessing Kingsley and Ciamh Gray.
“Doherty was part of Peamount’s double-winning squad last season, and goes straight into the Youths squad today.”
The 17-year-old, who turns 18 at the end of the month, is the second centre-back to depart Peamount in recent days, after Claire Walsh signed for Glasgow City on Monday. There, Walsh joins former centre-half partner Niamh Farrelly.
One of Peamount’s promising youngsters alongside Becky Watkins, Walsh had some kind words for Doherty in a recent interview with The42:
“It feels like Della and Becky are kind of the older girls now, but they only really came in with us last year. They’re kind of more like senior players now. They’ve been excellent.
“Della has slotted right into centre-back and Becky has been great as well. I think she scored two goals for the [Ireland] U19s there a few weeks ago, absolute crackers, she’s flying it.”
⚽️ GOAL | @ellenmolloy7
— Women's National League (@LoiWomen) July 10, 2021
✅ Won the free kick
✅ Scored the free kick
It's Molloy's second of the day, and what a goal it was!@AfcAthlone 1-2 @YouthsWomen #WNL | #LOITV pic.twitter.com/U4N8etMjbK
Ireland teenage sensation Ellen Molloy scored a brilliant brace in Wexford’s win yesterday, while Ciara Rossiter put the icing on the cake with a late effort.
Elsewhere in the WNL yesterday, Peamount were 2-0 winners over Bohemians as they regained their spot at the summit — Shelbourne had a bye — and DLR Waves beat Cork City 1-0.
And today, Treaty United struck twice late on to rescue a point and draw 2-2 with Galway WFC. Second-half goals from Lynsey McKey and Maebh De Burca had visitors Galway in the driving seat at Jackman Park, but Treaty rallied in the closing minutes.
Gillian Keenan pulled one back on 86 minutes, before Jenna Slattery was the late hero three minutes later, grabbing the all-important equaliser to lift Treaty to sixth in the table.
The Tribeswomen stay fifth, 10 adrift of fourth-placed DLR.
