Keeping Up the Effort

Billy Hearne Rising Star: Mollie Levingston

 

Fun and fearless is how Mollie Levingston’s teammates know her, but the 19-year-old goalkeeper’s hard work and dedication to her craft is truly remarkable. A Leaving Cert student in Gorey Community School, she combines sharing goalkeeping duties for the Under 19s, alongside Ciara Kelly, with acting as an understudy to Maeve Williams in the first team. This means travelling from Gorey to Waterford and beyond five times a week – all for the love of the game and her team.

I spoke to Mollie after a typical weekend where she was sub goalkeeper for the first team against Glentoran in the All-Island Cup on Saturday and kept goal in the Under 19s’ 3-0 win over Bray Wanderers on Sunday. Both of these matches were at home though, so other weekends mean even longer hours with travel commitments for away games.

 

"It’s a lot of commitment, but it's worth it, at the end of the day, because I’m doing what I love.”

 

“My usual Saturday routine for a 3 o’clock kick-off starts with breakfast at about 9am”, she tells me. “Then I go through my checklist for my matchday gear - boots, gloves, shin guards, etc. I get myself ready to leave for about 11:50 and arrive at the RSC at 1pm (20 minutes earlier than meant to be, but I like to be early). We usually get out of the stadium after the game at about 5:45 and head for home. Then it’s pretty much the same for Sundays, although Under 19s games are usually a 2 o’clock kick-off and we have to arrive at 12:30, so I push everything back an hour.” Her devotion to training and travel is extremely impressive, but she is happy to do it. “It’s a lot of commitment, of course, with travelling up from Gorey three times a week for training and then both days at the weekend, especially while in school, but it’s worth it, at the end of the day, because I’m doing what I love.”

 

(Mollie Alone. Courtesy of Furious Photography)

 

Being a goalkeeper requires patience and unwavering belief too. “It's definitely the most mentally demanding position, in my opinion, because it could be weeks before you play a game. Or just travelling to the other side of the country knowing you may not get any minutes if you’re on the bench unless an injury happens or a sending off. It can be challenging to not get into your own head about the small mistakes you've made, thinking they are the reason you’re not playing, but the most important part of being a keeper is being able to brush off the mistakes and focus on the next action so that you’re always ready to do your job for the team when you’re called upon.”

Levingston’s first club was Gorey Rangers, but she wasn’t a goalkeeper initially. “When I first started playing football, I played left wing because I wasn’t technically very talented on the ball, but I just wanted to play and I was always willing to run so they stuck me out there. But one day we had a friendly match against the boys’ team and we were stuck for a goalkeeper so I said I would step in because no one else would and, from then on, I played there every game with no complaints.” 

 

"Everyone always says a keeper needs to be a bit mad and have no fear and that was definitely me."

 

It was a happy accident in that case because Mollie’s character and natural talents suited the role perfectly as she explains. “Everyone always says a keeper needs to be a bit mad and have no fear and that was definitely me. I had no idea what I was doing and I didn’t have any goalkeeper coaches back then. I would do anything to make sure I got to the ball before anyone else. Whether it was a slide tackle outside the box or coming out to the striker’s feet, I was never afraid to put myself in the way.”

After Gorey, she spent a season with Wexford and then a short spell with Courtown Hibs before joining Waterford ahead of the 2023 season. She was proud to be called up to the national goalkeeping academy while playing at grassroots level and getting to the Gaynor Cup final. “When I played with Wexford Youths, we got to the Under 17s FAI Cup final against Shelbourne after I had to make a big decision in the semi-final to come out of my box that resulted in me getting a straight red, but it was worth it to secure the win.” 

“I’ve achieved a lot in my time with Waterford as well,” she continues, “such as being the first women’s Under 17s team to get to Tier One in 2023 and also getting to the Shield quarter-final with the Under 19s in the same season in our first ever year having a team. But my favourite highlight so far has definitely been making the senior squad this year!”

 

(Putting in the hard graft. Courtesy of Furious Photography)

 

She won’t stop there, however, and says that her goals for this year are “to work hard and become number one for the Under 19s and also to hopefully win some silverware with them. Another aim is to make my debut for the senior women’s team.” And further down the line, there is an ultimate dream. “In the future, I would like to play abroad somewhere like England or Spain.”

The young shotstopper has good mentors to follow including her new teammate. “Since I started playing in goal, Maeve Williams has always been an inspiration because she was so focused and, while coaching me in the Centre of Excellence, she never looked down on me and the other players. She’d push us to be the best we could be and, since then, I’ve always looked up to her and to now be playing on the same team as her is another goal accomplished.”

Mollie also cites her cousins Conor and Darragh Levingston, who both play for Wexford FC, as big influences. “I’ve always looked up to them because of their hard work to get where they are and what they have achieved. My dad is also an influence in my football as he always pushes me to be the best I can be.”

As driven and focused as she is, Mollie is equally happy to promote her teammates. When asked to recommend an upcoming player, she chooses a colleague for both the 19s and first team. “Keira Burke is definitely one to watch out for as she is a hard-working player on the pitch and will always put up a fight no matter who the challenge is against. She is also a really versatile player as she can play in both defensive or attacking positions so I think she’s definitely a player to keep your eyes on.”

 

(With Colin Power as well as friend and teammate Zoey Croke in the Community Boot Room. Courtesy of Waterford FC)

 

While still only at the beginning of her own League of Ireland career, Mollie recognises the power the Waterford Women’s team have to encourage and inspire young players. “I really like helping the community side of the club because I think it’s a great way of involving the younger generations and hopefully encouraging them to keep playing - especially the young girls as a lot of them really look up to the female side of the club. It’s very important to me to promote the women’s game, whether it inspires a hundred future players or just one.” 

Waterford FC Head of Community Development Colin Power speaks highly of Mollie’s kindness and commitment to helping. “The first time I met Mollie she had gear to drop in to the Boot Room”, he says. “Since then, she has dropped stuff in multiple times and offered to help out on matchday before she was called up to the first team. A great kid with a great attitude. I’m sure she will be a great success both on and off the field in the future.”

 

"I like to be able to give back in as many ways as possible."

 

It's wonderful to see that commitment to club and community from Mollie and she wants to do even more. “I like to be able to give back in as many ways as possible,” she adds, “whether it’s giving my time to help out on match days or giving my old boots and gloves to the Boot Room and I’m excited to continue being involved as much as I can.”

I don’t know where she finds the hours and energy for it all, but it is paying off for Mollie as she makes history with the Blues in League of Ireland football. Her enthusiasm and dedication will ensure we see a lot more from her in years to come and she’ll inspire many more players to follow in her footsteps.