By Ciaran O’Donnell
Busy doesn’t come remotely close to describing Aisling Nee’s life these days. Dull moments are few and far between.
Last Saturday, the 20-year-old made her debut for the Donegal senior ladies team wearing the number one jersey in their brilliant 1-11 to 1-7 victory over Dublin at Croke Park in the first round of the Lidl National League. It was the first defeat for the 2018 championship and league winners since Galway got the better of them in a league game last March.
Two weeks ago, the Letterkenny IT student was presented with the Donegal Sports Star of the Year Basketball Award by champion jockey, Ruby Walsh, at a ceremony attended by over 600 people in Letterkenny’s Mount Errigal Hotel.
On Tuesday, she played right back for Letterkenny IT’s ladies soccer team in their 1-0 win against Cork IT in Kelly Cup third round qualifier a the AUL Complex in Dublin.
This Sunday, she’ll complete a memorable fortnight in her sporting life when she makes her home debut for Donegal against Mayo in Mayo in the second round of the league.
While Aisling was a regular for St Eunan’s and came through the levels at underage, she’d never lined out for any county team in gaelic football prior to last weekend.
“Maxi (Curran) got in contact with me this year and things just took off from there,” comments Donegal’s new netminder.
After four weeks of trials and four more of intense pre-season, a new-look Donegal team took to the road for the first time on Saturday.
“I’ve been to Croke Park as a supporter, but I never dreamed I’d actually end up playing there. I never thought I’d get the chance, it is quite an achievement. To actually win the game made it that bit extra special. I also think we proved a point on Saturday,” she adds.
“I was a bit nervous before hand because I didn’t want to let anyone down or the team down. When you’re at that level you have to be in top form.”
Aisling’s father, Declan, was a regular between the posts for many St Eunan’s teams back in the day – something she’s been reminded about more than once since the weekend.
“I don’t think he made it as far as me, though,” she quips.
Being first-choice goalkeeper for the reigning Ulster champions is something Aisling is more than happy to take in her stride.
“I’m well aware that I have big boots to fill coming into a new team. But the girls have been great. It’s all been so comfortable and the girls are all really friendly. It’s been an easy enough step up to be honest. Karen Guthrie is a great captain – she’s a brilliant role model and someone who you look up to.”
On the basketball courts, Aisling has been the player many of her peers have admired since she started out with Letterkenny Blaze as a six-year-old. She was a mainstay in her teams during her years at Loreto Letterkenny and started coaching at the age of 13. A year later she became part of the academy at Basketball Northern Ireland (BNI) and this saw her travelling to Belfast once a week to attend three-hour sessions.
“That was made up of an hour of strength and core and two hours of basketball,” says Aisling, who fills the key roles of point guard or shooter on the court.
She trained with the group up until under-18s while also lining out for Letterkenny Blaze until under-18 level.
“In 2016 I was part of the Irish under-18 team and I trained with them for about five months.”
Last June, Aisling was part of the Irish senior women’s team that competed in the FIBA 3X3 European qualifiers in France.
“We played Ukraine, Sweden and Germany. Ukraine and Sweden were very strong sides. Our game against Germany went to overtime but we lost by a point. I’m currently playing my club basketball for Fabplus North West under Paul McDevitt and Bill Collins. We train in Letterkenny but play most of our home games in Ballyshannon,” she says.
Aisling also represents LYIT at basketball and gaelic football – she lines out at half back or half forward for Michael Murphy’s team.
“I love playing all three sports and I love the college, too,” she enthuses.
“I’m going to see how things go this year and just take each day and each game as they come. I’ll keep doing my best and start looking at expectations if things are going well.”
She was thrilled to pick up a first Donegal Sports Star Award at the end of last month.
“It’s great to be recognised in your own county and Ruby Walsh is such a nice man. He spoke so well on the night.”
With a talent like Aisling Nee, small wonder she’s in such big demand.