February 16, 2011
By Staff Reporter
By Jay Mwamba
Bronx Irish Women’s Soccer League side Parlour Moms begin a nine-day end-of-season tour of Ireland next week.
The Parlour Moms, who fly out this Wednesday, July 28, will play two games in Dublin, one of them against the Irish Allied Bank and another two in Galway before returning to New York on Aug. 6.
"We thought it would be a great idea to tour Ireland because of our Irish connection with the league and the players of Irish descent that we have," Parlour Moms player-manager Wendy Hollender said.
Defenders Maggie Bradley, Jane Kenney and striker Karen Rice are three team members that have been instrumental in putting the trip together.
The traveling party will include five guest players from newly crowned Bronx Irish champs Harps. Parlour Moms have also obtained, on loan, goalie Jessica Webb of the Fire club.
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Hollender said the entire team was excited and looking forward to the trip. The Parlour Moms have also derived some inspiration from the recent World Cup victory by the U.S. women’s side.
"Part of the excitement of the World Cup is the international competition [involved], and we feel that we can do that," Hollender said, noting the international context of their trip.
Bronx Irish League summer champions last year, and fourth in this year’s competition, Parlour Moms were formed three years by a group of soccer moms who caught the bug while watching their kids play.
Its members range in age from 24 to 54 and include a New York Supreme Court Judge, physical therapists, artists, designers and other professionals.