Ahead of the much-anticipated FAI Umbro Women’s Cup Final in the Aviva this Sunday, we’re profiling players from the teams going head to head, Raheny United and Castlebar Celtic.
Today we’re looking at Emma Hansberry of Castlebar Celtic.
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About the woman:
Emma ‘Hans’ Hansberry will be key to the Celtic lineup this weekend, playing a crucial role in midfield. A Sligo native, Emma joined Castlebar Celtic in 2012 at the beginning of the Club Women’s National League journey and has been at the forefront of the club’s success during the last three seasons. Emma, who has earned caps as an U17 and U19 Irish International, also had the honour of captaining the Irish U19 side.
Emma was named the league’s Young Player of the Year just last year, and this attacking midfield player with tremendous skill is certain to have a big bearing on where the cup will be sitting come Sunday night.
About the team:
Castlebar Celtic re-established women’s football at the club in 2008 under the guidance of Jeremy Dee, a sport which had laid dormant for a number of years. The club’s vision was to develop Castlebar Celtic as one of the top women’s football clubs in Ireland. The women’s side, under the guidance and coaching of Jeremy, soon started to dominate the game at local level and would have many memorable battles for the top honours in Mayo. In 2011 the Celtic side captured all three Mayo competitions without tasting defeat.
During this period an U16 side was established to become the club’s first Girls underage side to play in the Mayo Youths League and this young side were crowned Mayo Division 1 Champions in 2010. Currently the club has a thriving Girls Academy, which caters for girls from 6 to 11 year olds, two U12 teams, U13, U14, U15, U16, U19 teams and one senior side. The current U16 side, under the guidance of Mark Togher, became the first Mayo team to capture a Connacht Cup this year, while the Richie Berkeley managed U14 squad completed the Mayo League and Cup double last weekend and his U12 side have also been crowned Mayo league Champions and will be looking to add the Mayo Cup.
Castlebar Celtic became a founder member of the FAI Women’s National League in its inaugural season 2012/13.
