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Irish Mirror
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Michael Scully

'We love being the underdogs' - Orlaith Conlon on Wexford's desire to restore WNL glory days

Orlaith Conlon insists it is in Wexford Youths' DNA to fight to the end to make a WNL title race happen.

Conlon will hit the nine-year milestone with her beloved club in October - she joined having just turned 16 and was in fourth year in school when she made her debut in the 2014 -15 season.

Four WNL titles and three FAI Women's Cups came to Ferrycarrig Park during her first five years involved in what was a golden era for the club between 2015 and '19.

READ MORE: 'Every team should respect us now' - Kellie Brennan on Athlone Town's transformation

Wexford's Cup final victory last November was their first silverware since then.

"I'm so grateful for that time," said Conlon, who believes Wexford can make up an eight-point deficit to defending champions Shelbourne. They face bottom club Treaty United tomorrow (5pm).

"We did well for a while alright but it's been a long time since we have won the League. Winning the Cup is satisfying but winning the League is definitely what we're about.

"We're pushing through every year with that aim to win it, but injuries have taken a toll in previous seasons and this year the League is extremely competitive.

"We always have that reputation as being a hard working team, grinding out wins and never giving up.

"It's been embedded in the side since Kylie Murphy came here and when new players come in they have those qualities too.

"Over the nine years I've been here that has never changed. We know what Wexford is about - we have the properties required to fight to win the League.

"Anything can still happen. Shels and Peamount get the limelight but we love being the underdogs."

Conlon recently made her 150th appearance for Wexford. The first she knew of it was when kitman Eddie Cullen congratulated her at half-time in the home draw with Galway.

"I was delighted, Wexford is the only club I've been with and my heart lies here. I don't see myself anywhere else," the left-back stressed.

Conlon starts a masters degree in teaching in UL in September and the first 12 weeks of the course will involve a lot of commuting between Limerick and Wexford.

"I feel guilty if I miss training and I don't want to miss any sessions, so I'll travel up and down," admitted the Kilkenny native.

"But it is just for the first semester, after that I'll be on placement in Kilkenny so it is manageable."

Conlon has been coaching in FAI summer camps since she was 18 and is a head coach on a camp this summer.

"When I took part in those camps myself, I was the only girl there," she reflected. "Now there are 50 girls at this camp alone. It's mad.

"When we won our first Cup I was in sixth year and I remember going into school the next day and it was surreal.

"I didn't play but was in the matchday squad and girls were coming up to me saying they had seen me on TV."

Much greater exposure for women's football on TV and in media coverage has seen it explode in popularity in more recent times.

"You look at the Euros and girls are seeing the matches on TV, seeing the media coverage, and it encourages them to take part," Conlon remarked.

"They can see where they could be if they stay involved and work hard. They see the Super League in England and can aim to be there.

"Before, they'd look at Ronaldo, Messi or whoever, but now they can look at the quality on show in the women's game, they pick an Ireland player they aspire to be like."

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