Hi Isabella, to start things off, tell us a little more about yourself. What are some things about you that people might not know.
Hi my name is Isabella O’Luanaigh and I’m 14 years old. I’m part English, Irish and Malaysian. I’ve been doing sports for as long as I can remember. I started rugby when I was 3 and my dad was my coach. So I think that’s probably where my competitive and tough side came from. I also compete in Athletics at MSSD level, play football and Netball for my school (Tenby) and have a big dream of becoming a pro footballer one day.
Lets talk about football. How did you first discover the game and when did you realize that football was something you wanted to take seriously?
Football has always been a big part of my life. Growing up, I spent a lot of time around the game. My dad is very involved in football, he works in football and almost every weekend I watched him play the game. We are also a massive West Ham supporters, so my dad would take us to watch the premiere league games every year in England to watch West Ham compete. I think being able to watch football like that made me fall in love with the game.
My dad started taking me to training when I was 6 I think. But I didn’t seriously start playing till I was around 10 years old. That was when I realized that I didn’t just want to play football because I enjoyed it but it became something I wanted to build my own future in.
Do you remember your first ever football match or training session? What was it like and what made you want to keep coming back?
My first ever match was when I was 11. Funny enough, I was playing against my current team now KL Havana and we got beaten 14-0. I remember thinking “I want to play for KL Havana” After I joined KL Havana, I was one of the weaker girls there, but I kept coming back because I wanted to improve.
KL Havana became more than just a football club, it’s like a family. It’s also where I met Aina, Adele, Mia,Qaseh, Ally and Gabby, who I’m still playing alongside today. Looking back, it’s pretty special. The club that I once played against and lost 14-0 to is now a club I’m proud to represent. Because of KL Havana, we’ve had the opportunity to play in the Women’s league for Young Tigress and now represent Malaysia together. It makes me really proud to see how far we’ve all come.
Who has been the biggest influence on your football journey so far, whether it’s a coach, team, family members or even a footballer you look up to?
Definitely my dad! He’s the reason football has always felt like such a big part of my life. I grew up watching him play, watching him work in football and going to matches with him, so some of the best memories I have are connected to the game. He went to all of my training and matches. He’s been there through the good and bad moments. He taught me so much about the game - how to look beyond the ball, understand what’s happening around me, anticipate what’s going to happen next and make better decisions on the pitch. I think a lot of the way I approach football comes from him and I wouldn’t be where I am today without him. That’s why his influence means so much to me. I want to make him proud because he’s the first person who made me believe that I could have a future in football.
You’re still only 14, but you’re already playing football at competitive level. What is it like balancing with school, friends and normal teenage life?
It can be very difficult and tiring because football takes a lot of my time especially when I have a league coming up - a lot of my time is spent on training and travelling. But I don’t think I’ll be able to manage balancing all without the help of my dad and stepmum. They managed my daily schedule, drives me to training, make sure I eat well and get my kit ready and help me with my studies so I don’t fall behind. I'm grateful for what my dad and stepmum do for me on a daily basis because it allowed me to focus more on football without worrying. I still try to make time for my friends and just enjoy being 14. I obviously have to miss out on things because of football, but having the right support around me makes it possible to balance school, friends, football and just being a teenager.
What is the one thing football has taught you about yourself that you don’t think you would have learned anywhere else?
I think the biggest thing that football has thought me is how to handle losing and making mistakes. You’re not going to win every game and you’re definitely going to make mistakes. It can be very frustrating but I’ve learn not to let them stop me and come back better. I think that’s where my determination comes from. When something doesn’t go my way, it makes me want to work harder and prove to myself that I can do better.
Every young player has good days and bad days, what has been the toughest moment in your football journey so far and how you deal with it?
I think the toughest part of my football journey has been being only 14 and playing in the Women’s league. It’s a completely different level because I’m playing against adults who are older, stronger and have much more experience than me. At first, it was quite intimidating but I felt a lot more confident after playing few games and scored my first goal. Playing against adults definitely made me stronger as I had to learn very quickly that I couldn’t let their age or physicality make me feel like I didn’t belong on the pitch. I had to trust my ability, be brave and compete with them rather than thinking about the fact that I was one of the youngest players there.
When you’re not playing football, what does isabella like to do? What are you into outside of the game?
I do love football and if I can I just want to play and train all the time. But when I do have a break, i like going to the mall with my friends to catch up and watch movies with them.
Is there a particular player you really admire or enjoy watching? What do you like about their game and is there anything you try to take from them?
Cristiano Ronaldo - His mentality is probably the thing I admire most about him. He is not just talented but he is incredibly determined and disciplined. I also like his movement off the ball and the way he finds space and gets himself into positions to score. But what I take from him is that talent can only take you so far, you have to be willing to work hard, stay disciplined and have a positive mindset which I try to bring into my own football, especially when I make mistakes. I want to have the same mentality of always wanting to come back better.
Finally, where do you see yourself in the next few years? What are some of the dreams you’d love to achieve in football and what would you love to achieve outside of football too?
I think in a few years, I hope to be studying in England while continuing to play football there. It would also be really special because my cousin plays in the Women’s Super League for West Ham, and I’d love to do the same. I know it’s a big dream and I have a long way to go, but I don’t want to be afraid of having big goals. For now, I just want to keep working hard, keep improving and see where football takes me. Hopefully, one day I can make my own mark and continue the family legacy in my own way.
