- Shannon O’Brien assesses her start at LCFC Women following a January move from Coventry United
- The attacker scored two FA Women’s Championship goals to help the Foxes seal the second tier title
- She also found the net in the Vitality Women’s FA Cup victory over Manchester United
- O’Brien is excited by the upcoming challenges of playing Barclays FA Women’s Super League football
Arriving from league rivals Coventry United in January, the forward adjusted to moving into a team fighting at the top end of the table and there was a clear aim in sight – to reach the top flight.
O’Brien would help City to fulfil that target, scoring twice during a 7-0 success at London Bees in early March, a week after making her debut in the 1-0 triumph at home to Crystal Palace, going on to feature seven times on the way to clinching the second tier title.
“It's been crazy, to be honest,” the 19-year-old admitted when speaking to LCFC TV. “I came in January after a bit of a wait to get into the team.
“But once it was finally over the line, it was just literally: 'You're in for promotion, that's what we want to achieve'. It's been great, I've loved every second of it and we got it so goal achieved, really.
“It was a lot different. I literally knew one person before I came so I didn't have anything like that to go off, so it was a completely different environment for me, but the girls have just opened arms first day, it was easy to settle.
“And they're all so friendly and I know a lot of people talk about family environments of the Club, but it is like that and it's literally just so comfortable to just fit right in, it's been so easy for me.”
Already knowing about the quality within the squad, watching on from the sidelines as the Foxes hit nine past former club Coventry United earlier in the season, O’Brien jumped at the chance to join what she felt was an ambitious team.
The former Aston Villa youngster explained: “I didn't play against Leicester (for Coventry) this season, I was injured, but I watched from afar and I knew how good they were.
“Even when you're not playing for teams like that, you still track their progress throughout the season, especially when I knew they were interested. That's when I started to have a proper look.
“But yes, they're impressive. When I watched them against Coventry as well, it was ruthless and it was something I wanted to be a part of, so when I got that call I was over the moon.”
King Power Stadium was the venue for the Foxes’ coronation as champions, the final outing of the league season. It’s an occasion that O’Brien cherishes and was made even sweeter by defeating Charlton Athletic 4-0.
“When we got told that was going to happen, everyone was like, 'wow', I didn't expect that kind of thing, so that's thanks to the Club for sorting that out,” O’Brien enthused.
“But the whole day as well, we still wanted to win the game and make the whole day a proper day out - and we did, and we were comfortable winners.
“And then lifting the trophy, although there were no fans, it was still special, fireworks and everything, it was just amazing.”
O’Brien then netted a crucial equaliser in the Vitality Women’s FA Cup Fifth Round victory over Manchester United, a tie Leicester eventually won 3-2 to set up a last-eight clash with Manchester City, which will be played next season.
With the Club’s maiden season in the Barclays FA Women’s Super League on the horizon, there is plenty to look forward to in 2021/22, the attacker believes.
“That's what everybody wanted at the start of the season,” she added. “It's what I've wanted since I've joined and we're there now and everyone's excited, they're ready for a new challenge, a big challenge, but we think we'll be ready for it.
“It's a big pre-season ahead and then a big test against Man City as well, which will see where we're at, but everyone's really excited. I think it's something a lot of us have wanted for a long time.
“As young kids, that's what you want, to be in the WSL, and that's where we're at now, so it's exciting.”