WATCH: Athlone Town star's cousin inspired her to pursue career as a Garda

Athlone Town star Kayleigh Shine, a native of Drum, has completed her first stage of training to become a Garda, at the Templemore training college.

The 23-year-old went to secondary school in Athlone Community College, and is well-known in the local community for her achievements with the dazzling Athlone Town team, where she played a key role in completing the double by winning the Women’s Premier Division title and the Women’s FAI Cup last year.

Shine joined An Garda Síochána as part of Intake 254, Class D. Speaking about her motivation for joining, she said it was her cousin who inspired her.

"I've always wanted to become a Garda from a young age, and I have a family member, my cousin, who is a detective sergeant," she said. "She always used to tell me stories about the job. One Christmas, she gave me a Garda notebook!"

Shine said she is looking forward to the second stage of her training, as she prepares to gain hands-on experience.

"I'm really looking forward to going out in three weeks time and getting the full perspective on what the job is actually like, and seeing everything we've learned [in Templemore] taken into practice," she said.

She renewed her contract with the team for the 2026 season, having joined Athlone Town's U17 team in 2018 from Bealnamulla, and has been part of the club's first team since its formation in 2020, featuring over 100 times.

The Drum native took home the Outstanding Achievement of the Year Award and was honoured as the Overall Winner in the Sports award category at the 2025 Westmeath Independent Community & Sports Awards in November.

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