May 3, 2024

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Molly Kehoe: Cardiff City star on treble chances life in Wales and the Cayman Islands

CEFN-MAWR, WREXHAM, WALES - 8th OCTOBER 2023 - Cardiff's Molly Kehoe scores her second goal during Wrexham AFC Women vs Cardiff City Women in Round 4 of the Genero Adran Premier at The Rock, Cefn-Mawr (Pic by Sam Eaden/FAW)

Cardiff City forward Molly Kehoe has had a great start to life at her new club since joining in the summer.

She joined the champions after their double-winning season last term, and she believes that they could even go one better this time around and win the treble. The Bluebirds are currently unbeaten in all competitions this season, leading on from their sensational invincible campaign last season.

It is a big change for Kehoe compared to her birthplace of The Cayman Islands, who she represents at the international level.

“It’s a big change in lifestyle, and weather and everything, it’s taken me a while to get used to everything,” she admitted.

I think I’m getting in to it now and settling in” said Kehoe on adjusting to life in South Wales.

Swansea, Wales – 5th November 2023: Molly Kehoe of Cardiff City scores her sides first goal. Swansea City v Cardiff City in the Genero Adran Premier at Llandarcy Academy of Sport on the 5th November 2023. (Pic by Lewis Mitchell/FAW)

Strong start to the season

She has started the season in great form, hitting six goals in her opening eight games, and was announced as the club’s player of the month for October.

The biggest goal is arguably the winning strike in the 1-0 win away to Swansea City in the South Wales Derby, her first experience of the fierce rivalry.

Kehoe added: “I didn’t realise how big of a game it was (against Swansea) until I was actually in the game, the atmosphere was really good, and it felt great to score the winning goal.

“The Swansea game is probably the toughest game, with it being the derby and everything, it was definitely the most intense game we’ve played this season.

“It feels great to score important goals for the team, and help the team in whatever way I can, it feels great to get player of the month as well in my second month playing.”

Asked if the squad is good enough to go one further this season and complete the treble, she said: “Yeah definitely, if we keep up our intensity and play how we know we can play in each game, and not get too complacent, I think we can go unbeaten and win the treble.”

Iain Darbyshire impact and Seren Watkins form

The in-form Bluebirds forward was also complimentary of her new manager Iain Darbyshire who has transformed the South Wales outfit in to the team to beat in women’s football in Wales.

“He’s been a great coach, he always helps us and picks us up when we’re down, he’s a good coach, said Kehoe.

The attacker has also been impressed with the levels of her teammates since joining the squad, giving particular praise to midfielder Seren Watkins.

“The one that’s probably impressed me the most is Seren Watkins, she’s been one of our better midfielders, she’s been really good since I’ve been here.”

International football for The Cayman Islands

Including taking the Adran League by storm, Kehoe has also been representing her nation of The Cayman Islands in international fixtures, speaking on her pride to represent her home.

“Its great to play for my national team,” admitted the forward.

“It’s a little island, but it’s a great experience, to play against other big countries and on the international level, I’ve played against Canada under 20’s before, we got beat badly but it was a great experience.”

“We’re rebuilding right now, trying to see where we can get, hopefully we can win some more games and build on what we have so far.”

The growth of women’s football

It has been a season of growth already for women’s football in Wales, with Cardiff, Wrexham and Swansea all having four figure crowds for fixtures this season. The Cardiff number 15 said she enjoys the atmosphere and hopes to see better coverage of women’s fixtures.

Speaking on the big attendances she said: “It makes a much better atmosphere, having the fans at the games and the great atmosphere really helps the momentum of the game.”

“We need a lot of exposure and social media coverage, at Cardiff it’s already improving over the last few years. More exposure and more people watching women’s football will really help.”


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