Former Cavan ladies footballer Leanne Kiernan has signed with West Ham United from Shelbourne.

The 19-year-old Bailieborough native has signed her first professional contract after enjoying great success at club and international level over the last couple of seasons.

At the age of 16, Kiernan became an instant star when she scored a hat-trick for Shelbourne in the women's FAI Cup Final in 2016.

Having been raised on a pig farm in Co. Cavan, London will be a new adventure for the striker.

"I'm used to being at home on the farm, but now I'm living in a big city like London!," she told West Ham's club website. "It's been good so far. I'm living with two of the girls and learning all the new things I need to do now I'm living away from home for the first time.

"Every summer, my job used to be at home looking after the pigs, but now things are very different!"

She has been capped for Ireland at U17 and U19 levels, scoring nine goals in ten internationals, before making her senior debut against Wales in August 2016. The teenager also featured in all of the Republic of Ireland's 2019 FIFA Women's World Cup qualifying matches.

Kiernan is ready for the challenge ahead and to make her mark in east London.

"I'm looking forward to giving it a go and seeing how I get on. Hopefully it'll go well. Anybody coming here wants to be in the starting eleven, so I'll work hard, get my head down and hopefully get a place." 

Follow the hoganstand.com live match tracker this weekend for minute-by-minute coverage of the All-Ireland SFC Super 8 phase 2 games.

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