KATE MOONEY says Shelbourne’s aim is simple this year — just win.
The Reds kick off the new Women’s Premier Division campaign against Shamrock Rovers at Tolka Park today as one of the teams to beat.
That was backed up last weekend when Eoin Wearen’s side won the curtain-raising President’s Cup 2-1 against Athlone Town, even though Mooney’s goal streak ended.
Having signed back at the Reds from Hearts last July, she finished the season with an astonishing run of scoring in eight consecutive games including two goals in the FAI Cup final.
In all, her record on her return home after a year in the UK was 12 goals in 11 games.
Mooney, 25, told SunSport: “I think I’m very much a striker who is in and around the box.
“I don’t score absolutely amazing goals but I’ll be there in the right moment.
“That really helps with the players that I’m playing with, they’ll always make sure I’m getting chances, balls in the box, and I just have to finish them off.
“They make it really easy for me. I probably have a little target on my back now.
“I just have to do what I was doing last season.”
If Mooney is scoring goals regularly again then there is a fair chance that Shelbourne will be winning, with ambitions high around Tolka Park for the new season.
Mooney continued: “I want to win absolutely everything and I think the team feels the same.
“I’d be disappointed if we lose one game this season. I’m reaching for the sky and know it’s not probably practical, of course you’re going to lose a game.
“But I want to win everything, every cup, even the President’s Cup, I was so passionate about winning that.
“I want to win trophies, I want the team to do well, the team to develop and win everything I can.
“I’m not pushed on individual awards, just try and win the league, win the cup, President’s Cup and that would make my year.”
She believes that wanting to win it all is part of the make-up of every Shelbourne player.
Mooney continued: “It’s such a winning mentality. You can’t play for Shels if you don’t have that mentality.
“I would say it comes from the older players, Pearl Slattery, Rach Graham and Noelle Murray.
“I remember playing with them as a kid and even if we drew, they’d be disappointed and I’d be, ‘Why are you disappointed? We didn’t lose’.
“But now I’m the same. When we draw, I’m upset, I think we could have done this . . . it definitely stems from them and I try and bring it to the younger girls too.”
EARLY TEST
Mooney knows today’s game with Rovers is an early test of Shels’ title credentials as they look to get off to a good start.
And it is also a chance for her to get among the goals as she holds ambitions to earn another full-time move in the future.
She returned to Shels after time in the UK with Lewes and Hearts where she was full-time.
And the experience of it has whetted her appetite to do it again.
Mooney said: “I’d love if Shels was full-time, that is the dream. I’d love to play every single day of my life if I could, because I love football.
“It’s not happening in Ireland so girls have to make the move abroad if that’s what they want to do, which is a shame.
“I would never say no to an opportunity. Just like when Lewes came knocking and Hearts came knocking, I don’t think I’d turn down an opportunity.
“I learnt a lot about myself as a person. I didn’t play as much as I wanted but it was a great experience.
“But Shelbourne feels like home too.”
TODAY’S FIXTURES: Sligo Rovers v Bohemians (3pm), Treaty United v Waterford (3pm), Shelbourne v Shamrock Rovers (4pm), Athlone Town v Wexford Youths (4.45pm), Galway United v DLR Waves (5pm), Peamount v Cork City (5pm).
