Four Hat-Tricks and One Breakthrough: The Rise of Emily Fitzgerald and Galway United’s Academy

At just 18 years old, Emily Fitzgerald is already starting to write her name into Galway United history. From captaining Ireland at underage level to making her Galway United senior debut and scoring landmark goals, her journey so far is a powerful example of what local talent, hard work, and a clear academy pathway can achieve.

But for Fitzgerald, the rise hasn’t come overnight. It began on familiar ground, at Salthill Devon, one of Galway’s most well known community clubs.

“I was playing with Salthill all the way up until I joined Galway United,” she said at Senior Women’s training. “The standard there was very good. I was in with the boys team and it helped get me ready for the League of Ireland standard.”

That experience at Salthill Devon laid the foundation for what would come in her career. In January 2022, Fitzgerald captained the Republic of Ireland U15s, a major honour and early sign of her leadership and ability. That same year, she joined the Galway WFC U17 squad, stepping into national competition for the first time.

When Galway United launched their women’s academy teams in 2023, Fitzgerald was one of the first players to transition across. She quickly made history. In March 2023, she scored in a WU17 league game against Longford Town, becoming the first-ever female goalscorer for Galway United.

History was made this past Saturday when Emily Fitzgerald became the 1st female goalscorer for the club in the U17 Women’s Match against Longford!👏🥅

Hopefully, the 1st of many more to come for all of our Women’s teams!👊💪#ItsATribalThing pic.twitter.com/h5CkfyGSzn

— Galway United F.C. Academy (@gufcacademy) March 13, 2023

Through 2023 and 2024, Fitzgerald featured regularly for both the WU17 and WU19 sides. Her progression was steady, but by early 2025, her form reached new heights. In the opening four games of the WU19 season, she scored four consecutive hat-tricks, tallying 12 goals.

“We got going with the U19s and I got lucky for the first four games,” she said, with a smile. “Obviously I got the four hat-tricks in a row, and then I got my call-up into the seniors, so it paid off.”

Opportunity quickly followed, making her debut with a brief cameo off the bench against Wexford and the next week, she was in the starting XI in a Connacht Derby at The Showgrounds, scoring her first senior goal as United ran out 3-1 winners against Sligo.

“That whole day was kind of a blur,” she recalled. “It all just kind of fell to me, and the best outcome happened. I was just happy for that.”

Emily Fitzgerald seals it for Galway United!👊 pic.twitter.com/jguIay7EJj

— LOI Women (@LoiWomen) April 19, 2025

Just two league games later, she delivered again, picking up an assist after beating her marker and delivering a pinpoint cross against very experienced FAI Cup Winners, Shelbourne.

For Galway United manager Phil Trill, Fitzgerald’s rise is about more than numbers. It’s about hard work and identity.

“It’s actually Emily Fitz’s birthday today, she turned 18,” he said after training on Thursday evening. “To be honest, she’s waited a while compared to others like Anna McGough who came in at 15. But it’s a really important part of Galway football.”

“You look at how prominent we’ve been in ladies football over the years. Now we’re seeing players come through the academy and into the first team at young ages. That’s credit to our academy for identifying them, and also to the Galway FA, schoolgirl clubs, and the Gaynor Cup structure that’s pushed them forward.”

“We want to continue to promote local talent, not just because they’re local, but because they’re good enough. And with Emily, we’ve seen that. Another goal involvement last week, and she’s embracing everything she’s getting at the moment.”

Despite her recent breakthrough, Fitzgerald remains grounded. She still coaches with Salthill Devon, giving back to the local club where it all began. She personifies hard work, selflessness and embodies the club’s ethos and emphasis on youth development.

Fitzgerald is one of many young talent’s in Phil Trill’s squad, including the recent debutant Anna McGough at just 15 years of age. The Tribeswomen are set to take on Treaty United this afternoon at 5PM at Eamonn Deacy Park.

Kick-off at Eamonn Deacy Park is this Saturday at 5PM, and tickets are available now HERE.