- author, Chris Wathan
- role, BBC Sport Wales
From the Cayman Islands to Barry Island.
For those who grew up in a beach paradise, the wettest of Wales may seem like an unlikely place to pursue your dreams.
But Molly Kehoe feels differently.
That's why the 19-year-old made a nearly 5,000-mile journey of faith to sign for Cardiff City last summer.
In doing so, she made headlines in her home country as one of the most high-profile soccer exports this small tropical country has produced.
And as she looks to win the treble with the Bluebirds in this weekend's FAW Women's Cup final, she will enhance her reputation as the Cayman Islands' top soccer player, male or female, as one member of the local press described her. It's going to happen.
“There's nothing more satisfying than making people proud of you, especially when you're traveling the world,” says Kehoe, who has six senior caps for his country.
“Knowing that the whole country is supporting me and knowing that you guys are supporting me makes me feel so good.”
The forward said she was still getting used to the Welsh climate, but after a fortuitous chance in the sun, she signed for the semi-professional Welsh champions and suddenly many back home were following her progress. He says he is trying to get used to the fact that .
The British Overseas Territory's population is only slightly larger than the capacity of Cardiff's Principality Stadium, so opportunities are understandably limited.
“Soccer is very popular at home and a lot of people play. I wanted to play soccer from a young age,” said Kehoe, who was initially not allowed to join the men's team. , adding that they then had to wait even longer to play against other women's teams in the country. school team.
“There are only a certain number of girls playing. It was frustrating. If you want to go somewhere with football, you have to leave the island, so you go to America or England.”
The U.S. came calling first, heading to a boarding school in Georgia to play before the coronavirus shutdown sparked a desire to return.
“I was adamant that I was never going to leave home again, but a coach named Mark Jeffries from Cardiff moved to Cayman and started coaching my club team. I said, 'Oh, you shouldn't be here.'
A quick phone call was made to Bluebirds manager Ian Derbyshire and a two-week trial was arranged. Kehoe was impressed and signed, scoring 12 goals in 24 games, including the winning goal in the South Wales derby.
She made her debut in the Champions League and helped the team retain the Adlan Premier title and the Adlan Trophy.
Her first goal for Cardiff in October, when she won the club's Player of the Month award, came just days after she scored for her country in a 2-2 draw against Anguilla in a Gold Cup qualifier.
It was her last trip back home, but she is now preparing to pack her bags, including her medal, after Sunday's final against Wrexham in Newport.
Even if her father, Mick, wants her to play rugby, another sport in which she has represented her country, her sporting parents will likely support her from afar.
“I'm either a 9 or a 10,” she says. “I've played a lot of sports since I was a kid. I used to run track and play roller hockey, and my whole family played rugby, including my girlfriend's mother.
“I used to follow the Six Nations when it was going on, but I didn't get any offers to play. I don't think anyone would look at me and say, 'Oh, she plays rugby!' Masu.”
And with Wrexham, who have established themselves as overseas celebrities, looking set to pull off an upset at Rodney Parade, it's well worth keeping an eye on her football.
Kehoe, who has scored four goals in five games against Wrexham this term, has been impressed with the level of talent in his side at Cardiff and is credited with scoring his third goal in a team that played a big part in the showdown with the opposition. He said he was hopeful of winning the trophy. world.
And given their dominance this season, it wouldn't be surprising to see Cardiff and Kehoe achieve even more success. A player from the island on the team.
