9-year-old girl makes history in football league

“When she takes her helmet off and her long hair drops down, the look on people’s faces is priceless,” said Denis O’Leary, father of Oceanside Stallions Juniors Division Packers running back Maeve O’Leary.

“People are totally shocked and surprised to see her.”

Maeve, 9, of Rockville Centre, is in her third year playing football in the Oceanside Stallions league, a tackle-football league, following in the footsteps of her two older brothers, as well as her father who both played and coached in the league. The Stallions league consists of about 300 boys — and one girl.

“My older brothers, Denis and Kieran, played and they taught me how to play in my backyard,” Maeve explained.

Through persistence, and taking advantage of her family’s love of the game, Maeve convinced her father and mother, Carol O’Leary, to overcome their initial doubts and allow her to join the football league.

“Carol and I had no intention on having her play football,” Denis said. “I think Carol and I were a little worried at first, but seeing her play changed our minds immediately.”

In her three years playing, Maeve has alleviated any concerns her parents may have had about injuries as well, taking, in her words, “only minor hurts.”

According to Denis, when he called Stallions President Chris Spirou, Maeve was allowed to register, though he was told that there had never previously been a girl in the league.

Though the family currently lives in Rockville Centre, they chose to register Maeve in the Oceanside Stallions league because of the opportunity, as well as their long experience with the league.

“RVC has a flag football league for her age which she has played in, but no tackle,” Carol said. “We lived in Oceanside when my older boys played. But most importantly it is an extremely well-run organization.”

One of the draws of the league for Carol were the restrictions and equipment they supply the children with.

“The program is designed so they kids learn how to play in a controlled environment,” she said. “They do this by having age groups, weight limits and play restrictions like no punt returns or kickoffs… in order to minimize injuries.”

The O’Leary family is aware that Maeve may not be able to continue to play football as she gets older.