Mayo player re-joins Galway United after time away from the club

Galway United has announced the signing of talented goalkeeper Abbiegayle Ronayne, who joins the club for a second time after a short college break in the United States.

The Mayo native began her League of Ireland journey at Sligo Rovers in 2018 before moving to Galway WFC, where she spent two successful years. Her time with Galway WFC was marked by impressive performances, particularly her record for the most clean sheets at the club in a season along with multiple player of the month awards – a testament to her skill as a top-tier goalkeeper on a national level.

In 2021, Abbiegayle continued her career with Athlone Town, showcasing her abilities and gaining valuable experience playing 19 games that season as their main goalkeeper.

In 2022, Ronayne returned to Galway WFC, and her time back west was marked by outstanding performances that set her apart as one of the top goalkeepers in the league. Overall, she made 31 appearances for Galway WFC in both of her spells.

In 2023, Ronayne took the next step in her career by signing with the newly formed Galway United senior women’s side. In her debut season she made nine appearances across the Avenir Sports All-Island Cup and the SSE Airtricity Women’s Premier Division, balancing her club commitments with her impressive university career.

As the number one goalkeeper for University of Galway, Abbiegayle played a pivotal role in their success, leading them to victory in both the CUFL Women’s Premier Division and the WSCAI Kelly Cup Final – the first time the tournament win had been achieved in 15 years.

Galway United have described Abbiegayle's return as exciting: “She has showcased her ability in the past and certainly has the capability to bring things a level further to Eamonn Deacy Park. Galway United fans and the community are excited to welcome Abbiegayle Ronayne back to the squad, and we look forward to seeing her continue to shine in the seasons ahead.”