FROM scoring hat-tricks in 2004 to stopping them in 2026, Aisling Connolly has made headlines at both ends of the pitch for Drinagh Rangers.

This season saw captain Connolly win her tenth league title with Drinagh, and her fifth cup triumph, as Mike Doolan’s all-conquering team won the West Cork League double.

The Rangers shot-stopper kept 13 clean sheets in 17 games in this trophy-laden campaign.

It’s a far cry from her debut in October 2004, playing as a goal-hungry midfielder. Drinagh beat Crookstown in a 4-3 away victory and Connolly fired home a first-half treble.

Back then, the ambition was to start a women’s league, not to win trophies.

‘We had been looking to start up a league for a few years before that. Our current coach Mike Doolan was actually involved even back then, and Margaret Hurley also really helped our ladies’ team get up off the ground.

‘I found a match report from that game recently. I didn’t remember the first-half hat-trick. I was playing outfield whereas nowadays I’m playing in goal because I don’t have the legs. I was handy enough getting the goals back then!’ Connolly told The Southern Star.

‘I loved playing outfield. There was nothing in my mind about going into goal. When we train now, I’m in goal and they let me outfield every now and again. I'd always try and get a few goals at training to see if I can still do it. I loved being in the centre of the pitch.’

Aisling Connolly (right) with co-captain Ber O'Regan after Drinagh Rangers won the West Cork Women's League in the 2006/07 season.

Drinagh won the double this season but one of Connolly’s fondest memories was her first double in 2006/07.

‘I went back through the records about a year ago and I was thinking “wow, there’s a good few titles there.” We came second for a lot of years. I remember we were competing against a strong Bandon team when we started and they were winning more often than not,’ she explained.

‘We won the league for the first time in 2006/07. That was significant because we did the double that year. It was the same year that the Drinagh men’s team won the double as well, winning the league and the Beamish Cup.

‘I remember we were saying at the time that it mightn’t happen again for a while. Sure enough, it didn’t either. That’s 20 years ago. Time flies.’

Connolly’s longevity is a big reason why she is respected in Drinagh but her hard-working attitude is another. Her manager Mike Doolan concurs.

‘Aisling has been outstanding. When she is one-on-one, she’s like Liverpool goalkeeper Alisson Becker – she can spread herself big and make those crucial saves,’ the Drinagh boss told The Star Sport Podcast.

‘She hates speeches, doesn’t like to do them. She likes to come and do her job. Behind the scenes, Aisling is coaching U12, U14 and U16 girls. When she finishes, she will put her time back into the club, which is fantastic. She has helped blood the next generation coming through.

‘When the young ones see Aisling raising cups, it’s only good to see that their coach is a top-class player.’

Connolly’s passion for the club is evident. Her father Joe Connolly played on the first-ever Drinagh Rangers team in 1983 when the club was founded. That was the same year Aisling was born. Joe passed away in 2021 but Aisling is carrying on the Connolly legacy.

‘I remember thinking of him when the new Drinagh astro pitch opened. He would have been very proud to have seen it. It’s a real community in Drinagh. There are great people working with the club,’ Connolly added.

‘They’re all volunteers and give up a lot of time for their coaching. There’s just a great community there as a support for the club.’

As Drinagh dominated this season, their miserly defensive record was a key part to their success – just six goals conceded across league and cup.

Connolly made vital saves but the defence in front of her excelled too.

‘To have that record is brilliant. We have three O’Driscoll sisters playing with us now – Roisin, Katie and Maura. We have Katie and Maura playing in defence. I haven’t had a whole lot to do this season because they’ve kept a lot of the shots away from me,’ she said.

‘The one goal we did concede in the league was from a free kick against Lyre.

‘The defensive record is something to be proud of and not something every team would achieve.’

The club’s West Cork League Women’s Cup success – a final win against Lyre Rovers – signalled a brilliant end to a memorable season for captain Connolly.

‘The overwhelming feeling of winning the cup was immense pride and also relief considering what a tough and intense game it turned out to be. As expected with Lyre they gave it everything and pushed us to our limits.

‘We were absolutely delighted to get the result over the line and complete the league and cup double. Hugely proud of the whole team and our coaches,’ Connolly said, cementing her status as a Drinagh Rangers legend.