Their Champions League dreams may have been dimmed yesterday after a 2-0 defeat to Glasgow City, but Shelbourne’s Hannah Healy continues to be a bright spark for the reigning Women’s Premier Division champions.
The box to box midfielder came on in the 70th minute of yesterday’s tie, making her the youngest ever player in Champions League history at the age of 15 years & 263 days.
🇪🇺 𝐇𝐢𝐬𝐭𝐨𝐫𝐲 𝐌𝐚𝐤𝐞𝐫
While the result on the pitch may not have been what we wanted it was great to see Hannah Healy get on becoming the youngest ever competitor at the @UWCL at 15 years & 263 days old#DublinsFinest | @WeAreTUDublin pic.twitter.com/deMRAx3dGA— Shelbourne FC (@shelsfc) September 6, 2023
Healy has made eight appearances and scored one goal for the Reds so far this season having graduated from their academy just this year.
In 2022 she won the U17 national league and cup as well as the Player of the Year accolade for the same grade and the Clontarf woman is also has Ireland caps at U15, U16 and U17 level.
1️⃣st Start with the Senior team
1️⃣st Appearance in the @LoiWomen team of the week
Well Done Hannah Healy 👏👏👏#DublinsFinest | #Since1895
📸: @fitzer_andy pic.twitter.com/F8wf6ZfxY9— Shelbourne FC (@shelsfc) June 4, 2023
Shelbourne’s Hannah Healy in her own words
Born in 2007, Healy told Shelbourne (@shelsfc) that she was “delighted to represent such a good club at such a high level and play with a great group of girls.”
“I’ve always wanted to play in the Champions League so to get the opportunity to come on is just the dream.”
𝐏𝐨𝐬𝐭-𝐌𝐚𝐭𝐜𝐡 🗣️ | 𝐇𝐚𝐧𝐧𝐚𝐡 𝐇𝐞𝐚𝐥𝐲
After the teams dinner tonight we spoken to 15 year old Hannah Healy about her appearance off the Reds bench this afternoon#DublinsFinest | @WeAreTUDublin pic.twitter.com/VWHrLpTcQV— Shelbourne FC (@shelsfc) September 6, 2023
With that fixture having been situated in Lithuania, Healy says Shels are taking the time to acclimatise to their surroundings, and each other.
“It’s been so good just bonding with the girls and getting to know them better, the hotel, playing against the champions from different countries and learning to play against different styles of play and everything” she says.
𝐓𝐡𝐞 𝐑𝐞𝐝𝐬 𝐢𝐧 𝐄𝐮𝐫𝐨𝐩𝐞 🇪🇺
Off day sightseeing for the Reds as we visited the hill of crosses in Šiauliai#DublinsFinest | @WeAreTUDublin pic.twitter.com/lu3NBEVDdq— Shelbourne FC (@shelsfc) September 7, 2023
Pointing out the improving standards of the league here at home year on year, she also plays tribute to the more experienced players in the squad such as Racheal Graham, Noelle Murray and Pearl Slattery.
“It’s great because you learn so much from them as people and when you come on to the pitch they help you so much to settle into the game from their experience.”
So what’s next for Shelbourne’s Hannah Healy?
“For me just staying in the squad and hopefully getting some minutes. Then for the team, winning the league or the cup” she says.
With time on her side, there's no doubt she'll go on to play in plenty of more matches of great occasion.
𝐓𝐡𝐞 𝐑𝐞𝐝𝐬 𝐢𝐧 𝐄𝐮𝐫𝐨𝐩𝐞 🇪🇺
Off day sightseeing for the Reds as we visited the hill of crosses in Šiauliai#DublinsFinest | @WeAreTUDublin pic.twitter.com/lu3NBEVDdq— Shelbourne FC (@shelsfc) September 7, 2023
