History-Maker Áine O’Gorman Is Named Academy Director For Bray Wanderers

Áine O’Gorman breaks new ground by becoming the first female Academy Director in League of Ireland history

Bray Wanderers have named former senior international Áine O’Gorman as its new Academy Director, as she becomes the first female Academy Director in League of Ireland history.

The Wicklow native will lead all aspects of the Seagulls' youth development system, overseeing six academy teams and its recently launched Emerging Talent Programme.

The former Loreto Bray student earned 119 senior caps for Ireland, the country's fourth most-capped women's international, and played in the 2023 FIFA World Cup Finals in Australia.

At club level, she enjoyed huge success in the Women's Premier Division, winning titles in 2019 and 2020 while lifting the FAI Women's Cup twice.

She scored over  200 goals and was the domestic league's top scorer on five occasions during her time with with Peamount United, DLR Waves and Shamrock Rovers,.

She also spent time in England with Doncaster Belles. Since hanging up her boots O'Gorman worked as assistant coach of the Bray Wanderers Women's Under-17 side.

Speaking to the club website following her appointment, O'Gorman said she was "honoured to be appointed Academy Director at my local League of Ireland club, Bray Wanderers."

She said her own experiences as a player had given her an understanding of "the commitment, dedication and support required for young players to reach their potential, both on and off the pitch."

O'Gorman added that she was "extremely passionate about youth development in Ireland" and believed that creating the right environment was key to helping players grow "not only as footballers but as people."

The former Ireland international said Bray Wanderers had "a wealth of talent within the club and the local community" and that she was excited by the opportunity to help nurture and develop the next generation of players.

She also said she was looking forward to working with "players, coaches, parents and the wider club community" to build on the strong foundations already in place at the Carlisle Grounds.

Bray Wanderers Football Club described the appointment as a landmark moment for both the club and Irish football.

O'Gorman joined the club's Men's Development Squad at an invitational tournament in Liverpool over the weekend with opposition from high-profile club s including Liverpool and Aston Villa.

The Academy Director position is funded through the League of Ireland Academy Investment Programme, backed by the Department of Culture, Communications and Sport and Sport Ireland.

View this post on Instagram