Unbeaten defender for AFCB shares her advice

Centre-back for the currently unbeaten AFCB Women’s side, Jessica Hennessy, shares her advice for young centre-backs and aspirations for the season.

She said: “It’s really important to talk – you can see the whole pitch so communicate with what you see.”

“Never giving up, you never know what might happen on the pitch so keep going – if you’re playing at centre half you’re good enough to play the ball out – so have confidence.”

“My advice would be when you master defending, the rest will come when you have confidence in yourself.”

AFCB Women currently sit at the top of the Women’s National League Premier Division South Table with a record of four wins, one draw, and zero losses.

They have an average of three goals scored and 0.40 goals conceded per game, which is 15 goals scored and only two conceded so far this season.

Hennessy signed to Bournemouth this season from Nottingham Forest after helping them get promoted to the Women’s Super League two in the 24/25 season.

Hennessy’s impressive 22/23 season at Republic of Ireland Athlone Town, where she helped them get to their first FAI Women’s Cup Final, earned her a spot on the women’s national league team of the year.

Hennessy’s ambitions are just as big this year.

She said: “I would love to get the call up for Ireland, I think that’s any footballers’ goal – to play for their country.”

“A great start to the season so now we need to take the next steps – my goal is to get Bournemouth promoted.”