Whilst Sheffield Wednesday Ladies’ Steel City derby game with SUFC Community might not have gone their way this past weekend, it wasn’t all bad news for the Owls.

After missing the last 14 months through injury, forward Heidi O’Reilly made her first team debut, coming on as a substitute late in the first half to complete her rehabilitation from a serious knee injury. 

Heidi joined the club as an eager 8-year-old, originally playing at U9s and has progressed through the club's pathway all the way to the first team.

She was featuring for the U18s last season when she suffered a torn ACL, MCL and damage to her meniscus that required major surgery and a significant lay off. Whilst being away from the game is tough for any player, the young forward worked hard to ensure she’d be able to return as quickly as possible.

“It was a little stressful,” said O’Reilly when discussing her rehab and getting back to playing. “Having physio four times a week was good though and wanting to keep involved with the club. It’s been a while!”

The 16-year-old looked dangerous playing first out wide and then up from with striker Amy Broomhead at the weekend, and on a different day could have marked her return to action with a goal.

“Getting back out there, it felt a bit weird!” confessed the SWLFC youngster, “It felt natural to be there though. I just need to work on my first touch, my awareness, things like that, and then I can build on this for the rest of the season.”

There was further good news on the weekend as forward Brooke Swann also returned to first team action after a lengthy absence through injury as she came off the bench, though Kelsey Murphy-Bigley isn’t expected to feature until at least the New Year.

For more information on this story, please contact Dave Higgins, chairman@swlfc.co.uk