Ruth Fahy: 'I may be in my thirties but I feel like I can still get better'

Ruth Fahy challenges Naima Chemaou for the ball during Galway's 1-1 draw with Bohemians at Dalymount Park on Saturday, 26 June 2021.

Ruth Fahy challenges Naima Chemaou for the ball during Galway's 1-1 draw with Bohemians at Dalymount Park on Saturday, 26 June 2021. Credit: Martin Doherty (ETPhotos)

Paul Corcoran reports from Eamonn Deacy Park

Galway’s latest outing in the Women’s National League ended in defeat on Saturday when they were narrowly beaten by Wexford Youths at Eamonn Deacy Park.

Edel Kennedy scored the only goal of the game to extend Youths unbeaten run to a dozen games with the home side putting in an impressive defensive performance against a side challenging for the WNL title this year.

Ruth Fahy had a part to play in that back line with the experienced player now being deployed at right back and she was disappointed with the result but pleased with the side’s improvement when she spoke to extratime.com  after the game.

“I’m disappointed obviously to lose because I thought we had chances, especially in the second half, we had one or two really good ones, but I’m comparing our performance from the last time we played Wexford away and we were completely annihilated to be honest, we lost 5-0,” Fahy explained.

“Looking at where we were to where we are now, I feel a lot more positive.

“So, disappointed about the result but much more optimistic and hopeful about where we can continue to bring our season because we’ve had a bad start, a mixed middle, and we can only go up from now to be honest.

“We’re looking to the Cup and every game is getting ready for that and we’re looking to move our position up the League as well.”

The 2021 season is far from Fahy’s first campaign in the WNL having lined out for Castlebar Celtic and Wexford Youths previously— but this is her first season back after a five year absence.

Fahy revealed just how challenging it was to come back to this level after such a lengthy period away.



“It’s been so interesting, I didn’t know what it was going to be like. I was out of the League for five years, that’s a long time and I can’t believe it’s been five years.

“Coming back, I had to set some very realistic targets because initially I kind of forgot it’s been five years.

“I came back at 32, I’m now 33 and after two weeks our then manager Billy [Clery], I went up and I had a meltdown.

“I said I can’t do this, I can’t do it, I’m too slow and he just said give yourself a chance, you’ve been out five years, it’s going to take a couple of months, and it did.”

After a tough beginning to the season, Fahy has now started four of Galway’s last five games and things are starting to click for the 33 year old and she’s even taken on a new challenge with the move to right back.

“I feel like it took three months to come back in, I think against Bohemians I felt like myself for the first time,” she said.



“Initially it was harder than I expected coming back, I actually didn’t know if I’d be able.

“That was the perfect advice, just give it time and give yourself a break.

“My own personal goal is to basically get into the team and help in whatever way I can. That’s the thing, I may be in my thirties but I feel like I can still get better and that’s honestly how I feel.

“I’m playing in a new position, so I’m learning all the time, never played right full before.

“The modern full-back has different responsibilities to a decade ago so it’s been really enjoyable. It’s been really tough but I wanted a big challenge this year.”