Clare Carson and Cliftonville Ladies are gearing up for their All-Island Cup tie against Cork City, and Carson’s passion for women’s football is palpable. As the head coach of Cliftonville Ladies and the IFA’s girls’ participation officer, Carson is determined to bring the joy of the game to as many girls as possible across Ireland.
Carson, who is also the first woman to lead UEFA C license courses in Northern Ireland, is breaking stereotypes and paving the way for more women in elite coaching positions. Her recent course involved former West Ham player Nigel Reo-Coker and Swiss international Philippe Senderos, and Carson was impressed by their humility and thirst for knowledge. She hopes to inspire more girls to pursue coaching careers regardless of gender.
Now, Carson is using her knowledge gained from her off-pitch job to lead her team to success on the pitch. Cliftonville Ladies, the reigning league champions, will face Cork City in the semi-final of the Avenir All-Island Cup. Despite Cork’s position at the bottom of the League of Ireland, Carson is not taking them lightly. She emphasizes the importance of thorough preparation, analyzing video footage and strategizing to gain the upper hand.
Cliftonville Ladies, after their historic title win last season, have only grown stronger. With experienced players like captain Marissa Callaghan leading the way, they aim to come out on top in crucial matches like the upcoming tie against Cork City. Their focus is on securing a win before key players join the Northern Ireland squad for international fixtures against Scotland and the Czech Republic.
The winner of Sunday’s match will face either Galway United or Wexford Youths in the final of the All-Island Cup. For Carson, the competition has been instrumental in experiencing new opposition and gaining valuable experience as they prepare for the Champions League qualifiers against Benfica later this summer.
Carson, however, remains focused on taking each game as it comes. She understands the importance of maintaining focus and not getting distracted by future matches. From now until Sunday, Cliftonville Ladies will dedicate themselves to preparing for Cork City and executing their game plan.
The article provides a glimpse into Carson’s role as a trailblazer for women in football and highlights her dedication to promoting and developing the women’s game in Ireland. Her passion for coaching and her team’s determination to succeed are evident. As they face Cork City in the All-Island Cup, Cliftonville Ladies aim to continue their winning streak and secure a spot in the final.
