Ryan-Doyle seals cross-channel move to Birmingham

Daire Walsh

Lucan’s Eleanor Ryan-Doyle is set to embark on the latest chapter of her already burgeoning career after agreeing a one-year deal with Barclays FA Women’s Super League outfit Birmingham City.

The current top-scorer in the Women’s National League, Ryan-Doyle joins Emily Whelan in adding to the sizeable Irish contingent at Birmingham.

They were originally set to face off against each other in next weekend’s potentially crucial league clash between Peamount United and Shelbourne at Greenogue, but will now instead join forces at St Andrew’s.

Following a disappointing 11th-place finish in the WSL last season, the West Midlands club are hoping for a much better showing in 2021/22.

Their acquisitions of Ryan-Doyle and Whelan brings to six the number of Irish players in the Birmingham squad.

Chief amongst this cohort is club captain and former Peamount stalwart Louise Quinn.

Established Republic of Ireland internationals Marie Hourihan and Harriet Scott also ply their trades at St Andrew’s, while Whelan’s ex-Shelbourne colleague Jamie Finn is another recent recruit.

Although it is a blow for Peamount to be losing the in-form Ryan-Doyle with the race for the WNL title at such an intense level, it is nevertheless a big move for the 23-year-old.

She will be available for Birmingham’s Super League opener against Tottenham later today and – suffice to say – the gifted attacker can’t wait to get going.

“I am excited to start my professional career at Blues and excited to see where it will take me and how I will progress with my football,” Ryan-Doyle said to the Birmingham City WFC website.

“Scott [Booth, team manager] has told me about his plans for the season and what the team’s ambitions are, which is something that I wanted to be a part of.”

A former U19 international, Ryan-Doyle will be hopeful that this move – and good form in the highly-regarded WSL – can capture the attention of Republic of Ireland senior boss Vera Pauw.