Tuesday Blue

Tuesday is Blues Day and this week’s Tuesday Blue is all-action Issy Walsh. The Leaving Cert student scored Waterford Women’s first goal of the season on Saturday and has been performing brilliantly.

Waterford started the Women’s Premier Division season with an excellent 0-0 draw against Wexford, were denied by some great saves away to Treaty United, and it was a mystery how the ball just wouldn’t go over the line against Peamount. So it was a relief and joy when Issy scored our first goal on Saturday to give the Blues the lead in the All-Island Cup clash with Shelbourne.

Played in the midst of Storm Dave, conditions became increasingly difficult as the afternoon progressed, but Waterford really put it up to a strong Shels side who have finished as league runners-up three years in a row. In the 39th minute, Mia Lenihan swung in a perfectly-judged free kick to take advantage of the wind. Debutant goalkeeper Jenna Willoughby spilled the ball under intense pressure and, of course, it was the lively Walsh who was first to pounce and put the home side ahead.

 

Celebrating Issy's goal against Shelbourne (Noah Bradfield)

Shelbourne came back with the wind behind them in the second half (although that had nothing to do with Maeve Wollmer’s stunning solo goal) and won 4-2, with substitute Aisling Mahony netting Waterford’s second goal of the day and season. It was still an impressive showing from the Blues who are clearly growing into their second year of League of Ireland football.

Having Issy in the team is a bit of a cheat code because it’s like having twelve players. She is in constant motion - either threatening in attack or harrying relentlessly in her defensive duties. She is a manager’s dream with her work rate, pressing, energy and unselfish runs and Gary Hunt said she was “a breath of fresh air” when she broke into the first team last summer.

Issy played a starring role with an extremely successful Cushinstown AFC (outside New Ross) and scored over thirty goals in 2023 before joining Waterford in 2024. She was chosen as our Under-17 Player of the Season that year and made her first team debut last May. She scored against both Wexford (a cracker) and Shamrock Rovers before the end of the year and has been promoted first team duties on a full-time basis for 2026.

The Blues have this weekend off before hosting Shamrock Rovers at 1pm on Saturday the 18th of April. Get along to the RSC to support exciting young players like Issy and you’ll get full value from watching them.