Jessie Stapleton takes it all in her stride.
Whether it is immersing herself in a star-studded Shelbourne dressing room, rising to the challenge of facing the best players in the country, or winning the SSE Airtricity Women’s National League Player of the Month Award, she maintains the same cool demeanour.
On top of that there has been a run to the EVOKE.ie FAI Women’s Cup Final, playing in two games broadcast live on TG4 and representing the Republic of Ireland Women’s Under-19s.
It is quite amazing that the Dubliner is keeping this consistency in what is her debut WNL season. Oh, and she’s still only 16 years of age.
Outstanding all season, the composed defender – who has also been used in midfield – helped Shelbourne to four wins in October, scoring twice in the process.
“I’m delighted to win the SSE Airtricity Player of the Month Award. Obviously the other girls who are nominated are class, especially the likes of Noelle Murray who is playing a stormer this season, never mind just October,” said Stapleton.
“Coming in as such a young player, I’m still only 16 I’m not 17 until February, I wasn’t coming in expecting to play 90 minutes all season. With the new manager (Noel King) and his new ways there were no promises to players. I just broke into the team and I’ve kept my place so I’m delighted with that.
“This season has been very good. I’ve loved every single minute of it. I think we were very unlucky at times, we had a very good chance of winning the League this year but we had a slip up against Peamount but we have the Cup Final to look forward to and we hope to get a trophy there.”
Leanne Sheill, SSE Airtricity Marketing Manager, said: “Congratulations to Jessie Stapleton, on being named SSE Airtricity Women’s National League Player of the Month for October.
“It’s a huge achievement in itself to be playing in the SSE Airtricity Women’s National League as a 16-year-old; but to win the Player of the Month award is amazing and incredibly inspiring! We can’t wait to see what the future holds for Jessie.”
Stapleton was selected ahead of Shelbourne forward Noelle Murray and Wexford Youths captain Kylie Murphy, who finished second & third respectively in the voting.
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2021 SSE Women’s National League Player of the Month Winners
March / April: Rachel Kearns (Galway WFC)
May: Eleanor Ryan-Doyle (Peamount United)
June / July: Kylie Murphy (Wexford Youths)
August: Savannah McCarthy (Galway WFC)
September: Karen Duggan (Peamount United)
October: Jessie Stapleton (Shelbourne)
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