Mayo native Sarah Rowe joins Melbourne Victory
Former Mayo Gaelic footballer Sarah Rowe has joined Melbourne Victory in the A-League Women.
Ballina native Rowe, who has signed with the club on an injury replacement contract, could now be in line for a place in the Vera Pauw's Irish squad for the FIFA Women's World Cup, which is being held in Australia and New Zealand later this year.
The 27-year-old has joined Melbourne Victory from AFLW side Collingwood, where she has spent the past five seasons competing in the Australian Rules Football competition.
Despite being arguably best known for playing Gaelic football with Mayo, Rowe lined out for her hometown club, Ballina Town, in local and national competitions, and played for Castlebar Celtic in the Women's National League, while she also represented her country at youth and senior international level.
Rowe also spent a season with Raheny United in the WNL before joining Shelbourne Ladies, winning a league and cup double with them in 2016.
Later, while balancing Gaelic football and an AFLW career with Collingwood, Rowe still found time to return to football with Shelbourne for a spell in 2021.
Rowe said she is looking forward to testing herself at A-League Women’s level. “I’m thrilled to be able to join Melbourne Victory and be back playing football with Jeff (Hopkins, head coach) and the team here at Victory,” she told the club's website.
“There is no doubt this group wants to achieve the ultimate success this season and I’m looking forward to contributing to their success any way I can.”
Hopkins, meanwhile, said he was excited to see Rowe’s return to football. “We’re incredibly pleased to have an athlete like Sarah join the club and we’re excited to see what a natural talent like her can bring to our squad,” he stated.
“Sarah has been trialling with us and we’ve been impressed with her level and what she has to offer so we’re looking to see her hit the ground running at Victory.”
The Ballina woman came off the bench in the 64th minute of Victory's game against Perth Glory today (Friday), which finished in a 1-1 draw.
Regarding the World Cup, Rowe told Australian Associated Press (AAP): “One can dream. I didn't think that there would be an option to get back into the squad again, having been away for so long.
“Step one was getting back to playing soccer again, step two was getting signed to a club, which is Victory, step three is getting into the (Ireland) squad and then performing week in, week out.
“As a player you can never think far ahead with things like that because injuries and everything needs to go right for you. One can dream and obviously you always think big as a sportsperson but for now my focus is just on Victory.”