Latest news with #HelenWard
Telegraph
12-07-2025
- Sport
- Telegraph
Jess Fishlock: Why England must be wary of oldest Women's Euros goalscorer
Time stood still as Jess Fishlock waited for her historic goal to be confirmed. Officials had originally ruled there had been an offside in the build-up when she side-footed a loose ball into the back of the French net but, after a VAR check, that decision was overturned. Cue pandemonium in the stands and on the touchline. It was a goal that confirmed Fishlock, at 38 years and 176 days, as the oldest ever goalscorer at a Women's Euros. She is also the only woman to score for Wales at a major tournament. The moment Wales women scored their first EVER goal in a major tournament 🏴 It had to be Jess Fishlock 👊 #WEuro2025 — BBC Sport (@BBCSport) July 9, 2025 If there is a player the Lionesses should be wary of ahead of Sunday's final group game in St Gallen, it is Fishlock. Wales' hopes of qualifying for the knockout stages are all but over after defeats by the Netherlands and France, but they will be determined to do everything to make life difficult for England, who will reach the quarter-finals with a win. Fishlock, who holds the record for most caps (164) and goals (48) of any Welsh player, male or female, will be at the heart of everything they try to do. 'She's the person that puts the team on her shoulders and carries them through, very much like Gareth Bale did so often for the men's team,' Fishlock's former Wales team-mate Helen Ward tells Telegraph Sport. 'She's certainly the person we look to when we need a bit of magic.' Fishlock's international career has spanned more than 19 years, with the forward having made her debut in 2006. Her first club was Cardiff City, where she stayed until 2012 having made her debut at the age of 15. Jamie Sherwood, who managed the club between 2012 and 2014, was a mentor to Fishlock and tells Telegraph Sport: 'It was clear to me that her knowledge and her ability to inspire players to try new things was a quality that was unmistakable. 'She is methodical and meticulous in her approach to the game. She had the power to influence people with her actions and behaviours, and the respect she has from others allows her to make a huge impact in team dynamics and individuals' belief and personality.' Fishlock's career has taken her to Melbourne and Seattle, who she has been with since 2013, via many loan spells. The journey to and from the United States to Wales' international camps has often been gruelling but Fishlock has always made herself available. Katie Sherwood, who won 50 caps for Wales, has known Fishlock since they were eight years old. 'To be able to do what Jess has done over the years combining travel, training and elite performance is remarkable but that goes down to her preparation,' Sherwood says. 'Her desire to achieve, the love for her country and team-mates, and her mentality to want to keep pushing the standards… It was always clear that Jess was driven to compete, win and achieve.' Fishlock has won league titles in six different countries (the Netherlands, Australia, Scotland, Germany, France, and the US) as well as two Champions League trophies during loan spells with Lyon and Frankfurt. But helping Wales to qualify for a major tournament, and scoring their first goal at the event, is surely her greatest achievement. 'It was magical to see Jess score that goal and all my children were celebrating the goal like we had won the game!' Jamie Sherwood says, while wife Katie adds: 'It was written in the stars. 'It's been a long road to this point, it's been a battle to change opinions and mindsets towards our game and how it's perceived, and Jess has been at the forefront of this movement for 20 years. For it to be Jess who achieved this moment is special.' Fishlock has been one of many players to lead the push for better facilities and support for the Wales team. 'Jess continues to do that now, she won't settle,' Ward says. 'She's got every right to be that person because what she's done on the pitch for Wales is more than anyone has ever done and probably will ever do.' Her Wales career has not always been plain sailing. She was captain when Jarmo Matikainen was manager but when her former team-mate Jayne Ludlow took over in 2015, she was dropped from the squad and stripped of the captaincy. Ludlow had said she wanted to give other players an opportunity but it was a controversial move, with Fishlock describing it as one of the lowest points of her career. But Fishlock was soon recalled, with her and Ludlow developing a mutual respect for one another. 'For a lot of players that could have broken them and ruined their relationship with the team,' Ward says. 'I know it did hit her hard at the time but I think it also gave her an opportunity to focus on her football. She was still the face of the team for the most part and that never really changed whether she was wearing the armband or not.' Fishlock is undoubtedly the headline act of this Wales team – but what are her biggest strengths that England must look out for? 'She's the ultimate box-to-box midfielder in my opinion,' Ward says. 'People think she's a bit of a No 10 because she scores lots of goals, but actually what she does going the other way is equally as important for the team. 'The way she retrieves the ball from opponents, despite her size she's exceptional in the air. She's a fierce competitor but she's also got unbelievable quality on the ball. She can finish, she can find a pass, her vision is probably better than most. 'She's got it all. She puts everything on the line, heart and soul. She often looks like she's smoked 40 cigarettes and can't breathe but she'll still keep going, she's like a little Duracell Bunny!' Wales' qualification for Euro 2025 was a full circle moment for someone like Fishlock, who has fought desperately to take her country to a major tournament. It is unclear whether she will continue to play for Wales or consider international retirement once the tournament is over. What is certain is that she will be desperate to end on a high. 'She will be in camp now ensuring everyone is ready to face England,' Katie Sherwood says. 'Jess will want to finish strong, she will want to leave our mark on this tournament, on and off the pitch.'
Irish Independent
04-07-2025
- Irish Independent
Three siblings abandoned as babies long to hear more of their Kerry connections
David McBride, Helen Ward and John Dowling were all abandoned as new-born babies in the 1960s and have rediscovered each other despite all the odds and have now also made significant discoveries about their parents – including their mother Marcella Somers. Their mother was a Catholic woman from north Kerry, while their father was a protestant shop-keeper from Dublin, Billy Watson. He was a married man with 14 children, who was in a secret relationship with their mother, an affair spanning more than 40 years. They were seen together in Dublin in 1993 before he died at the age of 82. Their mother passed away in 2017, aged 90 and is buried in north Kerry. Their love affair in 1960s Ireland led to the what the siblings believe was a difficult and heart-breaking decision to abandon all three of them to give them new homes. They are known as foundlings, given all three were left in locations they would be immediately found in. All three grew up in happy homes and just in recent years, through appeals and DNA, discovered each other's existence. But they too discovered more details about their biological parents, including their Kerry mother who lived in Dublin for much of her life. Their amazing story was recounted in The Phone Box Babies, a new documentary on RTÉ One and RTÉ Player this week. Helen Ward, born in 1968, was discovered by Macroom lorry driver Donal Boyle on the floor of a phone box on the Dublin Road in Dundalk and was adopted, aged 13 months, by the Ward family in Dublin, where she had a happy childhood. David McBride, who was left in a car belonging to a doctor's wife in a Belfast driveway in 1962 and ultimately adopted by William and Emma McBride, grew up in Lisburn. He now lives in Birmingham. Another brother John Dowling was just a few days old when he was found in May 1965 by Drogheda journalist Paul Murphy and his friend Pat Bailey, also in phone box, and was given up for his adoption. Helen called Joe Duffy's Liveline to share her story in the hope of finding out more about her background, when she was 44, setting of a train of events that saw her reunited with David on on a special edition of ITV documentary Long Lost Family in 2020. They were also reunited with John after his daughter saw the programme. The three siblings also believe there may be a fourth child and they would love to meet them. It was a funny moment sitting in the chair where she sat and I could reflect on life through her eyes The new documentary traces the lives of the babies who were adopted by families in different parts of the country and later discovered that they were in fact full siblings. It follows them as the reconnect with extended family and learn about their parents. For all three siblings a visit to Kilcara nursing home in Duagh where their mother spent the last years of her life helped them learn about the woman who was forced to abandon them, as staff their recalled her love of music and singing. They recalled a special doll that belonged to her which was always with her and maybe have been a symbol of the children she had to give up. Helen said the moment when she sits in her mother's chair in the nursing home resonated with her. "It was a funny moment sitting in the chair where she sat and I could reflect on life through her eyes. I was sitting somewhere she very much spend her last years,' she said. She said life must have been difficult for their mother and it was not an easy decision to give her three children but none of born ill will towards her or their father. "It can't have been easy but understanding of that time in the '60s," said Helen. And now they have visited Kerry, they would love to hear more stories and learn of more connections. I would love people that knew her to reach out with stories and give us further insight into her. There are things we don't know Speaking to The Kerryman, Helen said she understands that this is a difficult journey for everyone involved and many may not want to speak out and may need time to process the situation they would always love to hear about their mother if people are comfortable. "For me personally I think I would love people that knew her to reach out with stories and give us further insight into her. There are things we don't know.' "She died in 2017 but maybe stories have been passed down through generations.' She said they have been 'very lucky' so many have shared stories, including snooker legend Ken Doherty whose mother was good friends with Marcella and said she was always full of fun. This too was recounted by their cousin Elizabeth, who stayed in contact with their mother and shared her stories of the Kerry woman and her love of life and music.
RTÉ News
03-07-2025
- General
- RTÉ News
The Phone Box Babies - a search for truth, identity and belonging
In 1960s Ireland, three newborn babies were abandoned in different parts of the country and left without any clue to their identity. Fifty years later, those three children discover they are connected and embark on an emotional journey to uncover their identities. A remarkable new RTÉ documentary, The Phone Box Babies, tells their story. One of the 'foundlings', Helen Ward, writes about her search for identity and their experiences while making the documentary. I was nine years old when someone subtly mentioned that I was the adopted one in the family. In that moment, I felt singled out, as if the truth in those words was meant to find me. It was February 5th, 1969, when I was brought to my new home in Co. Meath, a day that marked the beginning of my new life. My parents, devout Catholics in their mid-forties, were united and loving, creating a supportive and stable home as I was growing up. Reflecting on the words "the adopted one" brought a sense of being different and not belonging. Despite endless conversations with my mum about my adoption, she had little to contribute beyond a listening ear and an understanding of my thirst for answers. My dad, on the other hand, was the one who looked after the affairs of the house. Old-fashioned, one might say, he had the final word on family matters and held the key document on my adoption. At 18, I remember broaching the subject with him, which, to my aversion, was swiftly dismissed with four words: "Let sleeping dogs lie." A fire within me continues to ignite my pursuit of understanding the wider picture. Rejected in my endeavour, I chose to go it alone. I reached out to Barnardos Ireland, which opened my eyes to the possible trials and tribulations that lay ahead. Stories of rejection, difficult searches, paperwork, legalities and formalities. All of which drove me back to my comfort zone; home. Significant events throughout my life surfaced feelings of emptiness and sadness, particularly during pregnancy. A time that should have been filled with excitement for the birth of my babies was instead met with silent images in my head of my biological mother and what her journey might have entailed while pregnant with me. At 35, I arranged to meet with a social worker about my adoption. My expectations were high, fuelled with hope of finding answers. My birth certificate uncovered truths that I hadn't been prepared for: "Living newborn child found exposed on Ladywell Terrace, Dundalk. Father Unknown. Mother Unknown." Each word felt cold and hollow. Abandoned from birth, I had been found by a lorry driver on the floor of a phone box, wrapped in a green tartan bag, well-dressed, and with a warm bottle, approximately two days old on Tuesday, the 12th of March at 9:30pm in 1968. Swiftly taken to Louth County Hospital, I was given the name Aileen Brenda Marsh and later transferred to St. Joseph's Baby Home (St. Clare's Convent, Stamullen, Co. Meath), where my journey truly began. For most people, identity is a given, but for many like me, it has been a complete mystery. On my 44th birthday in 2012, I went on national radio, Liveline with Joe Duffy. Within seconds, I was on air, connecting with the people who found me after I was left in the phone box. Sergeant Michael Conneally left listeners enthralled with his heartfelt words, and Donal Boyle, the lorry driver, spoke of his experience that night. After all the excitementsurrounding these events, a waiting period passed, and any hope was lost for the one person who held all the answers to come forward. As the years went by, the chances of finding information grew increasingly remote. DNA testing became my last resort, a gift I received on my 50th birthday. I describe it today as the "gift that keeps on giving." In July 2019, I received an unexpected call from a social worker in the UK enquiring about my background in relation to the DNA test. As the conversation unfolded, I tried hard to absorb the words without imploding with hysteria and disbelief: "We have found your brother, a full sibling." I finally got to meet David in person on ITV's Long Lost Family show, Born Without Trace. A moment to remember, an experience beyond words, a true miracle. Both David and I are foundlings, and for the first time in my life, my identity and sense of belonging became common ground with the one person I now call my brother. Over the following weeks and months, information came to light about our biological parents and 14 half-siblings. It brought closure to part of my journey while opening a new and exciting world of unexpected twists. Years ago, I stumbled upon a story in Drogheda that seemed so similar to mine. Who would have thought it would turn out to be another full sibling, my brother John. Credit goes to my beautiful niece, John's daughter Donna, who saw the Long Lost Family show and acted on her intuition. One became three, and the unique connection between us as siblings and family continues to grow. A fire within me continues to ignite my pursuit of understanding the wider picture. This journey brings its difficulties. Establishing family relationships has been a gradual process of patience and mutual trust. It has opened my eyes to the remnants of traditions, pride, and unspoken history that are still very much alive. An amazing opportunity presented itself when I was contacted by RTÉ. I saw it as a valuable opportunity to explore my journey further as I felt I had a lot more questions after taking part in Long Lost Family. Did anyone remember our biological parents? And could they give us an insight into their lives, their love story, their individual personalities and characteristics. These stories would have remained untold had we not taken part in the documentary. I wholeheartedly embraced the experience, which has been healing, enlightening, and truly rewarding.
RTÉ News
26-06-2025
- RTÉ News
RTÉ presents new documentary on the origin stories of three abandoned babies in 1960s Ireland
This July, RTÉ presents The Phone Box Babies, a documentary revealing new insights into the lives and identities of three newborn babies abandoned in the 1960s in different parts of Ireland. The babies were discovered by random passersby in phone boxes, and in a car, without any identifying information or clue to their origins. This new documentary airing on RTÉ One and RTÉ Player uncovers details about the babies' parents, where they came from, and why they were given up. Fifty years later, as adults, they discover their connection to each other and embark on an emotional journey to uncover their identities. David McBride, born in 1962, was left in a car in a Belfast driveway. John Dowling, born in 1965, was found in a Drogheda phone box. Helen Ward, born in 1968, was discovered in a Dundalk phone box. Each was adopted and raised in different parts of Ireland. In 2020, David and Helen discovered they were brother and sister through DNA technology and were reunited on the ITV series Long Lost Family. To their shock and joy, they subsequently found John, a third full sibling. They believe there is a fourth sibling out there and are hoping this documentary will encourage that person to get in touch. United in their desire to uncover more of the truth about their family and the circumstances surrounding their parents' decision to abandon them, the documentary follows the siblings as they uncover untold stories that reflect the Ireland of the past. Their mother was a young Catholic woman from the Republic of Ireland who, in the 1940s, began a affair with a married Protestant man from Northern Ireland, who was 17 years her senior and had 14 children of his own. This affair endured for decades and, in that time, David, John, and Helen were born – and given up. Speaking about the documentary, Helen Ward said: 'This documentary has opened up the lines of communication about our biological parents, with people willing to share their stories. I hope the documentary fosters understanding and empathy, especially about what it's like to have to question your roots. I hope it encourages people to be open and receptive to helping others with similar experiences. The longing for connection with family is valid and deeply human.' With both biological parents now deceased, the siblings confront painful truths about their parents' complex relationship and the impact of this abandonment on their own lives. They face a challenging journey in their quest for answers, but with the support of newly discovered half-siblings and family friends (including snooker legend Ken Doherty), they remain determined to unearth the buried secrets of their family's past, in the hope that it will bring them closer together. The Phone Box Babies airs on RTÉ One and RTÉ Player on Wednesday 2 July at 9:35pm -Ends- Date: 26 June 2025
Irish Independent
26-06-2025
- Entertainment
- Irish Independent
Remarkable story of re-united siblings who were abandoned in Louth phone boxes as babies told in new RTE documentary
The new documentary traces the lives of the babies who were adopted by families in different parts of the country and later discovered that they were in fact full siblings. John Dowling was just a few days old when he was found in May 1965 by Drogheda journalist Paul Murphy and his friend Pat Bailey, both members of Blessed Oliver Plunkett Drama Group, at Laurence Street on their way home from a John B Keane play rehearsal. He was cared for in Our Lady of Lourdes Hospital before being given up for adoption. The former Drogheda Independent editor is one of the people interviewed in this new documentary. Helen Ward, born in 1968, was discovered by lorry driver Donal Boyle on the floor of a phonebox on the Dublin Road, near Ladywell Terrace, on Dundalk's Dublin Road. He alerted the gardai and she was brought by Sergeant Michael Connolly to the nearby Louth County Hospital where she was cared for before being moved to St Clare's Nursing Home in Stamullen, Co Meath. From there she was adopted, aged 13 months, by the Ward family in Dublin, where she had a happy childhood. On what she believed was her 44th birthday, she called Joe Duffy's Liveline to share her story in the hope of finding out more about her background. Her story, and that of a third baby, David McBride, who was left in a car belonging to a doctor's wife in a Belfast driveway in 1962, were featured on a special edition of ITV documentary Long Lost Family in 2020 when thanks to DNA technology, it was revealed that David and Helen are full siblings To their shock and joy, they subsequently found John, a third full sibling. They believe there is a fourth sibling out there and are hoping this documentary will encourage that person to get in touch. This new documentary uncovers details about the babies' parents, where they came from, and why they were given up. Fifty years later, as adults, they discover their connection to each other and embark on an emotional journey to uncover their identities. United in their desire to uncover more of the truth about their family and the circumstances surrounding their parents' decision to abandon them, the documentary follows the siblings as they uncover untold stories that reflect the Ireland of the past. Their mother was a young Catholic woman from the Republic of Ireland who, in the 1940s, began a affair with a married Protestant man from Northern Ireland, who was 17 years her senior and had 14 children of his own. This affair endured for decades and, in that time, David, John, and Helen were born – and given up. ADVERTISEMENT Speaking about the documentary, Helen Ward said: "This documentary has opened up the lines of communication about our biological parents, with people willing to share their stories. I hope the documentary fosters understanding and empathy, especially about what it's like to have to question your roots. I hope it encourages people to be open and receptive to helping others with similar experiences. The longing for connection with family is valid and deeply human." With both biological parents now deceased, the siblings confront painful truths about their parents' complex relationship and the impact of this abandonment on their own lives. They face a challenging journey in their quest for answers, but with the support of newly discovered half-siblings and family friends (including snooker legend Ken Doherty), they remain determined to unearth the buried secrets of their family's past, in the hope that it will bring them closer together. The Phone Box Babies will air Wednesday July 2 at 9.35pm on RTÉ One and RTÉ Player.
