Limerick trailblaser Marion Slattery continues to inspire 'Girls in Green'

BALLYNANTY native and women’s soccer trailblazer Marion Slattery, remembers her time playing as one of the members of Ireland’s first ever women’s squad with great fondness.

This year also marks the 50th anniversary of the Limerick Ladies team winning the inaugural Ladies League of Ireland title in 1973 which paved the way for other women to take up soccer at a time when the sport was not as popular as it is today.

Marion began her soccer career in 1968 at only 14 years of age, where she played for the Garryowen club. Frank ‘Junior’ Keane then set up the Limerick Ladies Soccer League and asked Slattery to join her home club in Ballynanty.

The hugely successful Ballynanty team that was managed by Frank 'Junior' Keane

This team then went on to win the Limerick league in its first year competing before Limerick joined the women's League of Ireland competition.

Along with the 1973 League of Ireland success, Marion Slattery was selected on the Irish women’s team where they travelled to Wales and beat them 3-2 in Llanelli.

She said: “It was brilliant playing for my country, an honour, very special putting that green jersey on. I made lifelong friends up and down the country.”

On top of playing for Ireland, Marion went on to captain Limerick when they won the league of Ireland three years in a row under Frank ‘Junior’ Keane’s management.

Marion pictured ahead of playing for Ireland during her international days

Winning the league and playing for Ireland was not easily achieved in a time when women’s soccer was not well supported.
Marion said it was “very difficult” coming from Limerick and trying to make it in international soccer.

“I had to fight for my position every time I went onto the pitch, but it was made easier by having fellow Limerick ladies around me, like Mary Joyce, Mary Gavin and Geraldine Grace.”

The Irish women's soccer team of 1973 was recently recognised by the FAI to recognise their win over Wales on the 50th anniversary of that success.

The team also formed a guard of honour for the current Republic of Ireland women’s team before their recent friendly fixture against France at Tallaght Stadium which was Vera Pauw's last fixture at home before heading off to Australia for the Women's World Cup which kicks-off later this week.

“It felt fantastic to meet everyone after 50 years, the FAI went above and beyond to make us feel recognised walking out onto that pitch.

“Doing the guard of honour for the team that will be at the first ever women’s World Cup for Ireland felt like a full circle moment, as we were the original squad.”

Ireland will began their World Cup campaign on Thursday against hosts Australia and like many others, Marion Slattery was watching the team closely, having blazed a trail for today's Girls in Green.