With silly season having come and gone, here’s a look at where the Irish WNT players transferred to before the window shut on deadline day.
Tara O’Hanlon (Manchester City)
Perhaps the most notable transfer of the window in Irish terms, teenager Tara O’Hanlon grabbed all the headlines when she signed for Manchester City on a 3.5 year deal last night.
Moving from the current Women’s Premier Division champions Peamount United, the left back, who has played twice for Ireland’s senior team, had negotiated that the Peas would receive a goodwill gesture from her new club when she makes her competitive debut - a fascinating parting gift to the club that was pivotal in her development.
It’s also believed that O’Hanlon won’t be going out on loan, and that instead, under manager Gareth Taylor, she will take up a prominent position amongst the first team’s ranks.
☘️18-Year Old Dubliner Signs For One Of The World’s Richest Clubs But What She Asked For May Shock You🤯💰
👇Find out all about it here👇https://t.co/QDaxvCUKZC— Her Sport (@HerSportDotIE) February 1, 2024
Where the Irish WNT players transferred to before the window shut on deadline day - Kate Mooney (Hearts)
A former teammate of O’Hanlon’s at Peamount United, Kate Mooney, was also on the move recently, signing for Hearts in the Scottish Premiership on an 18 month contract.
Mooney had netted a whopping 10 goals in 14 matches for Peamount United early last season, before making the switch to Lewes in the WSL 2.
There she made 11 appearances, but now will play her football in Edinburgh in an effort to help her new side to a back to back fourth place finish.
✍️ Hearts Women are delighted to announce the signing of Kate Mooney who joins the club on an 18-month deal, subject to international clearance and SFA approval.
🤝Welcome to Hearts, @katemooney08
ℹ️https://t.co/qel1nrLenB pic.twitter.com/nHOx9eWsZE— Hearts Women (@heartswomenfc) January 31, 2024
Jessie Stapleton (Reading)
Jessie Stapleton is a similar case study to Mooney in many ways.
She too transferred from the WPD to a club overseas mid way through the season last year, although she came from Shelbourne, and what sets her apart was her recent injury and subsequent comeback.
Stapleton joined West Ham in July of 2023, but having picked up that injury in the preseason of the WSL she only made her debut on November 22nd, donning out for the Claret & Blue against Brighton & Hove Albion in the league cup.
In hopes of more game time, both Stapleton and the club came to the decision that she would go out on loan to Reading in WSL 2 for the remainder of the 2023-24 season.
There she’ll play under Liam Gilbert, and will link up with fellow Hammer Halle Houssein, who arrived the summer prior.
Jessie Stapleton is a Royal 👑
— Reading FC Women (@ReadingFCWomen) January 26, 2024
Where the Irish WNT players transferred to before the window shut on deadline day- Abbie Larkin and Izzy Atkinson (Crystal Palace)
Reunion then must be the takeaway from the day, with two Irish WNT stars both landing at the same new club in Crystal Palace.
Izzy Atkinson was the first of the duo in the door, signing on a permanent deal last Saturday from West Ham United.
She had originally made the switch to London from Shelbourne in 2022, which matches up with a former club of her counterpart and friend- Abbie Larkin.
Larkin made a name for herself at last summer’s FIFA Women’s World Cup through her performances with Ireland, but she had also impressed for both Shelbourne and Shamrock Rovers at various stages.
Those showcases earned her a move to Glasgow City in the Scottish Premiership , where she scored nine goals in 16 appearances since she joined in September.
The switch to Crystal Palace will see her through at the club until 2026.
Both Atkinson and Larkin will now help the club in their Women’s Championship exploits, currently sitting five points off leaders Charlton Athletic having played one match less.
Larkin 2026 💫#CPFC pic.twitter.com/H8fOP72vRn
— Crystal Palace F.C. Women (@cpfc_w) January 31, 2024
Megan Campbell (London City Lionesses)
Defender Megan Campbell was also brought back together with some familiar faces, joining English Championship club London City Lionesses from Everton.
Campbell, who has previously played for both Manchester City and LIverpool too, will now play with fellow Irish WNT players like goalkeeper Grace Moloney and midfielders Ruesha Littlejohn and Niamh Farrelly at the club.
The 30 year old has 47 caps for the Girls in Green, and will strive to make an impact during her 18 month spell with the Pride.
Very happy to have joined @LC_Lionesses
Looking forward to this next step 👊🏻🩵 https://t.co/ptiXi1cNRH— Megan Campbell (@megcam10) January 31, 2024
