Walsh joins forces with Glasgow City
By Daire Walsh
Republic of Ireland senior international Claire Walsh has become the latest player from Peamount United to make a cross-channel move to Glasgow City.
The Wicklow native has agreed a two-year deal with the Scottish Women’s Premier League champions that will see her reuniting with Lucan’s Niamh Farrelly.
The latter has been in Glasgow since the start of 2021, having departed Peamount a matter of days after helping the Newcastle club to secure the FAI Women’s Cup and thus completing a domestic double.
Speaking to Glasgow City’s official website, Walsh said:
“I am delighted to have signed my first professional contract for Glasgow City. It’s such a successful club and I can’t wait to get started and help the team as much as I can.”
In addition to Farrelly, Walsh will also be linking up with fellow Irish stars Aoife Colvill and Clare Shine. Tyler Toland – whose absence from the Republic of Ireland senior squad has been much-discussed – also spent time on loan at Glasgow last season, but has now returned to her parent club of Manchester City.
The departure of Walsh will of course come as a blow to Peamount boss James O’Callaghan as he looks to fight off the growing challenge of Shelbourne in the Women’s National League. Last weekend’s defeat to the Drumcondra side leaves them three points adrift at the summit of the table – albeit with a game less played.
It is little surprise that Walsh attracted attention from the UK, however, given the strength of her performances at the heart of the Peamount defence. She already has three senior international caps to her name, having made her debut against world champions USA in a friendly encounter back in August 2019.
It is an exciting move overall for the 26-year-old and is the second occasion she has taken her talents outside of these shores. In between an original spell at Peamount and a stint with UCD Waves, she spent time in the US with college outfit Central Connecticut Blue Devils and Women’s Premier Soccer League club New England Mutiny.