![Aoibheann Clancy: 'I think it's huge to have someone of [Ruesha Littlejohn's] calibre and her experience in the league'](https://www.rte.ie/images/00222e09-800.jpg)
Shelbourne midfielder Aoibheann Clancy says the entire SSE Airtricity Women's Premier Division is benefiting from the presence of Ruesha Littlejohn at Shamrock Rovers.
Clancy, 21, is in the Republic of Ireland squad for the upcoming Nations League double-header against Greece, returning to the senior fold for the first time since Vera Pauw handed her a debut in a friendly against Morocco back in November 2022.
The Limerick woman has enjoyed a great start to the campaign with Shels, but it's Littlejohn who's attracted the most headlines since the Hoops picked her up as a free agent in early March. A spectacular goal from the halfway line against Galway United went viral at the weekend; now Clancy is relishing the opportunity to rub shoulders with the veteran in Ireland camp this week.
"I think it’s huge to have someone of her calibre and her experience in the league," she said.
"It’s unbelievable. You saw at the weekend, the goal she scored, and she was straight in with the free-kick (against Athlone Town on her debut) as well.
"Even for the likes of the Rovers girls, to be learning off her, the depth of experience that she has, it’s unbelievable. You’d love to just be picking her brain at training. I think for young girls as well that are coming to Tallaght every week, to see that type of player is huge, it’s only going to improve the league.
"It’s not only Rovers that are going to benefit from that, it’s the rest of us as well. It’s brilliant."
INCREDIBLE from Ruesha Littlejohn 😍 pic.twitter.com/06gnk6ewcu
— LOI Women (@LoiWomen) March 29, 2025
A native of Kilbehenny, a village nestled between the borders of Tipperary and Cork, Clancy has developed into a top prospect.
She was steeped in Gaelic games as a kid, playing football and camogie with Galtee Gales before Kilbehenny Celtic boys team convinced her to give soccer a try. She never looked back.
Currently studying biomedical science at UCD, Clancy is open about her desire to eventually move away from Ireland to fulfil her ambition of becoming a full professional.
"I think around my Leaving Cert I was trying to figure out what to do," she reflected.
"I was in and around Vera's camps at the time and there definitely was that decision - do I go and try and get a degree first or do you go and try to play? I ended up going down the education route.
"It’s probably important to get that first. The women’s game, while it’s developing, it still has a bit to go. So, to have a degree behind you before you go, I think, is important."
Clancy (above has a year left in her degree. Once that's in the bag, she's more than open to exploring pastures new.
"I was actually just talking to Amber (Barrett) this morning about it, she was like, 'finish your degree’. Hopefully I’ll finish that and if there’s opportunities there I’d definitely like to go professional.
"f I got the opportunity I’d be pretty much open to any place once it was the right club and a step up in standard and that. Once it’s a step in the right direction I don’t really mind where it would be."
"If you want to get multiple caps, you can't be resting on your laurels and just be happy to be here."
Right now Clancy is focused on proving she's comfortable in an international environment. Ward has suggested she will start blooding younger talent with an eye towards next year's World Cup qualifiers. That might just open the door for Clancy to, at least, get a few minutes off the bench against the Greeks.
"I probably feel like I'm playing better recently," she added. "It's a massive help that Carla's been there watching the games. She came to our training the other night to have a look at us.
"The shock is well gone. I've had a week now. Now it’s turning attention from, 'right I’ve got into the squad, that’s great, be proud of that’. And now I need to be fully focused: 'right, I need to stay in here now'.
"It’s a professional environment. If you want to get multiple caps, you can’t be resting on your laurels and just be happy to be here. You have to come in and make an impact on the team."
Watch Greece v Republic of Ireland in the Women's Nations League on Friday from 3pm on RTÉ2 and RTÉ Player. Follow a live blog on rte.ie/sport and the RTÉ News app and listen to live commentary on RTÉ Radio 1 Extra
