Watch: Roscommon woman outlines her garda journey
Kayleigh Shine was a shining light for the all-conquering Athlone Town's women's soccer team in 2025. Picture: INPHO/Laszlo Geczo
A Roscommon woman and soccer star has spoken about her journey to become a member of An Garda Síochána.
Athlone Town star and native of Drum, South Roscommon, Kayleigh Shine has completed her first stage of training to become a garda at the Garda Training College in Templemore.
The 23-year-old went to secondary school in Athlone Community College, and she played soccer for Bealnamulla Utd at underage level.
“In 2018, I joined Athlone Town,” Kayleigh explained. “Just before Covid, I got my first international cap at under 17 level. Last year with Athlone we won the League of Ireland and the FAI Cup, and we also took part in the Champions League, and progressed into the Europa Cup.”
Last year she was on the PFA Ireland Team Of The Year for the centre back position.
Kayleigh said it was her cousin who inspired her to join the force.
"I've always wanted to become a Garda from a young age, and I have a family member, my cousin, who is a detective sergeant," she said. "She always used to tell me stories about the job. One Christmas, she gave me a Garda notebook."
She joked that she used it to write down random car registrations.
Kayleigh is excited about the second stage of her training.
"I'm really looking forward to going out in three weeks’ time and getting the full perspective on what the job is actually like, and seeing everything we've done here taken into practice," she said.
She praised the college’s emphasis on group and teamwork, something she really enjoys, as well as the college’s gym facilities.
