Our International 20×20 Women in Sport Award goes this week goes to Denise O’Sullivan who many would argue – and we will not disagree – is perhaps the finest women’s soccer player Ireland has ever produced. Denise who won her 75th cap for Ireland in their recent game against Greece has had a phenomenal year that saw her play a vital role in her team North Carolina Courage winning the National Women’s Soccer League title in the US for the second year in succession. In the process her team mates voted her the team’s Most Valuable Player (MVP), is for the second year in a row. An incredible achievement in a team that includes several of the US team that won the World Cup earlier this year. And even more recently she was voted the FAI’s International Women’s Player of the Year. Denise started her career with Wilton United in Cork before moving to Peamount in Dublin. Next up was Glasgow City before she moved to the US and the Houston Dash. After a short time there, it was on to North Carolina Courage and huge success. Her coach Paul Riley speaks glowingly of her ” She was the biggest gift we ever got, what a player this young lady is and she’s improved so much, she’s the one player we can’t play without. That’s what she’s become”. She has become one of the best midfielders in the world. Team-mate Rachel Corsie who captains Scotland says “She’s so good in the little pockets with the ball at her feet and she brings others into play. She brings the best out of others, she is, in my opinion, one of the best midfielders out there, one of the best in the world.” The US season is now in its winter break but no rest for Denise as she has joined Canberra United in Australia on loan as a guest player for the winter. Her chief target next year will of course be qualifying for the European Championships with Ireland.
International Sportswoman of the Week
