Fermanagh has been slow to catch up with the dramatic increase in popularity of women’s football, but a senior team will finally return to the county next month when Lisbellaw United Ladies FC play their first ever competitive fixture.

The recently formed club has been in training for over two months in preparation for their first season of competitive action, and new club captain Kiera Elliott has been delighted with the response since the club first announced their intention to form a team.

“We have been getting together since January and we have 38 girls now coming and going, so it is a great turnout,” she revealed.

“Lisbellaw were eager to get a girls team started because they have had good success with the men’s team, so they advertised it and there was a great response.

“Underage teams seem to have a good few playing.

“I know Rangers, Lisbellaw, Ballinamallard and Athletic all have a few girls playing, but I haven’t had the chance to play competitive soccer before.

“My only chance was going down with my dad on a Monday evening and playing against 30 year old men if I wanted to get into soccer!

“It is the first ladies’ team since I was maybe third year and went to the Fermanagh Mallards. It has been a long time coming.”

The 23 year old midfielder now has the opportunity to test her skills in a competitive league - Lisbellaw will compete in NIWFA Divison Five - and with three pre-season games under their belts, Kiera is hopeful the team managed by Gareth McGuckin can have a successful debut campaign.

“It is hard to know how we will get on, but we have had three challenge games and won two and lost one,” she said.

“We have played Larne Reserves, DC Diamonds and Maiden City. We won 12-0 and 5-0 and the Larne game was our first game and we lost it, but it took us a wee while to find our feet and discover where everyone plays best.

“After a few team bonding sessions I think the confidence is there now, and it’s always getting better. We have another two matches scheduled playing against teams in our league to get a taster of what they are like.”

Kiera has a strong sporting pedigree and is a member of the Fermanagh Ladies Gaelic squad, but she had no hesitation in branching out into soccer once the opportunity arose.

“Gaelic would be my main sport, and I am playing with the county as well as my club, but I have always had a heavy interest in soccer,” she revealed.

“As soon as I saw Lisbellaw advertising that they were going to start, I was jumping onto it straight away.

“I have been playing competitive sport since I was eight and it is always something I have had an interest in.

“Anything that brings ladies sports on in Fermanagh I would always try to be involved, no matter what it is.”