Windfall for Mayo football club thanks to Ireland star
Ballinrobe Town is in line to receive an injection of cash thanks to Republic of Ireland star Aoife Mannion.
Mannion and Aoife Patten have just been announced as the recipients of the Sky WNT Fund 2026 – an annual bursary of €30,000 established to empower members of the Republic of Ireland women's team in their academic, professional and career ambitions off the pitch.
The two players will also split their award with two grassroots clubs close to their hearts, with Mannion choosing Ballinrobe Town – where her young cousins play – for funding of €5,000 towards their work in the local community, supporting the development of women and girls’ football and helping to nurture the next generation of footballing talent. Patten is doing likewise with her chosen club, Glenea United in Falcarragh, Co. Donegal.
Additionally, Mannion and Patten will receive €10,000 each towards their Master’s Degrees in women’s football club management.
Speaking about the Sky WNT Fund, Sky Ireland’s director of marketing and brand, Caroline Donnellan, commented: “It’s a real privilege to see the ambition Aoife and Anna are showing, both in their football careers and in planning for the future. We’re delighted that the Sky WNT Fund can support their next steps, while also giving them the opportunity to recognise Ballinrobe Town and Glenea United – two grassroots clubs with strong personal connections for both players.
“Those local clubs are where many football dreams begin, and we hope this funding will help them continue their brilliant work developing women and girls’ football in their communities.
“On behalf of everyone at Sky, I’m delighted to congratulate Aoife and Anna on this very well-deserved recognition, and we wish the whole squad well ahead of our World Cup playoff final against Poland.”
In its fifth year, the €30,000 Sky WNT Fund is a bursary open to all current Republic of Ireland women’s national team squad players, designed to support players’ academic, professional and post-football career ambitions.
The fund was established in 2021 in partnership with the Football Association of Ireland (FAI) and, to date, has benefitted 21 senior international players. The winners were selected by a judging panel featuring Sky Ireland’s Caroline Donnellan, sports journalist Cliona Foley, and Lizzy Kent, head of women and girls football at the FAI.
The WNT players who entered were asked to submit a short video to the judging panel outlining their career or education goals, how the funding would be used, and why they chose their nominated grassroots club.
Both Mannion and Patten played in Tuesday’s 4-0 win over Kazakhstan in their 2027 FIFA Women's World Cup qualifying playoff semi-final. Ireland will now take on Poland over two legs on December 1 and 5 for a place in next year’s tournament in Brazil.