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www.ladiesgaelic.ie | WINTER 2022 / JANUARY 2023 | 33 Review MATCH J ust an hour from where Rocky inspired audiences in the ultimate sports film, Salthill-Knocknacarra's All-Ireland Junior Final winning goalscorer began carving her real-life sporting path that would include historic feats on both sides of the Atlantic. With Cork's Naomh Abán gradually coming back in the decider in Fethard, Alyssa Manley was perfectly positioned to take Lauren O'Donnell's pass before slotting to the net in a 1-7 to 0-4 victory, making her club just the second ever Galway winners of the competition after Caltra Cuans in 2010. "We're just so delighted," said Salthill- Knocknacarra's full forward afterwards. "This team has just been so special throughout the year. It was really great to end on a high. A NEW SPORTING PASSION "I know I've been in those scenarios before where I've gotten it quite close to the goalkeeper, and I've either kicked it over the bar or just not gotten it into the goal. So, I was trying to settle myself, take the past experiences and just really boot it into the goal, making sure that it went in." Manley only started playing in 2021, a year after arriving in Ireland with her partner, who played football for the club. The 28-year-old from Lancaster, Pennsylvania, was a prominent USA field hockey player and competed in the 2016 Olympics in Rio. Since taking up the sport at six-years-old, her exploits were noted before college, when she was named a High School All-American in 2011. She studied in Syracuse University, New York, and played a central role in the college's first ever National Championship winning Women's Field Hockey team in 2015 and was voted Defensive Player of the Year. But she also picked up the Honda Sports Award, a prestigious national women's sport award. Manley was the first ever from Syracuse to receive this honour. Alyssa Manley spoke to Darren Kelly about her switch from Olympic level field hockey to Ladies Football as Salthill-Knocknacarra claim the currentaccount.ie All-Ireland Junior Club title. "THE 28-YEAR-OLD FROM LANCASTER, PENNSYLVANIA, WAS A PROMINENT USA FIELD HOCKEY PLAYER AND COMPETED IN THE 2016 OLYMPICS IN RIO." Images clockwise from top: 1 Alyssa Manley, Salthill-Knocknacarra celebrates after scoring her side's first goal. 2 Lauren O'Donnell, Salthill-Knocknacarra in action against Fia Manning, Naomh Abán 3 Grace Murphy, Naomh Abán. 4 Róisín Reddington, Salthill-Knocknacarra is tackled by Lydia McDonagh, Naomh Abán. 5 Allanagh Hoare, Naomh Abán in action against Róisín Reddington, Salthill-Knocknacarra.