Sheffield United's Joy to behold
Sheffield United striker Joy Ralph has made a huge difference to the Blades’ attacking powers this season, and now she wants to help secure their BWSL2 future
A short trip down the road from Tallaght Stadium in Dublin is Greenhills Boys Football Club and, around 15 years ago, Joy Ralph and her father walked by. Five-year-old Ralph, besotted by the beautiful game, joined the Greenhills boys’ team and thus her footballing journey began.
Fast forward to 2026, and the 20-year-old striker was lining up for Sheffield United against Barclays Women's Super League champions-elect Manchester City in the Adobe Women’s FA Cup. Ralph did more than just hold her own; she won more aerial duels than any other player that afternoon and put up a fight against the nation’s best for 78 minutes.
The dynamo from Dublin
Ralph made her senior debut as a 16 year old for DLR Waves, scoring twice. After moving to Shamrock Rovers she took her game to the next level and was included in the PFA Team of the Year and was nominated for PFA Young Player of the Year. All this success naturally meant Ralph was a part of the Ireland youth set up.
The highlight of her time in the youth system saw Ralph score three goals in six matches for Ireland in UEFA Under 19s EURO 2024 qualifying, including the crucial winner against Austria that sent her nation to the finals in Lithuania that summer. It was only the second time Ireland had ever qualified for the competition and, despite a group stage exit, Ireland were no pushovers. Under Dave Connell, the Girls in Green drew 0-0 with eventual champions Spain. With all that behind her, it wasn’t long before interested parties came knocking.
From the Liffey to the Don
Last summer Ralph made the move across the Irish sea and signed for Sheffield United. The Steel City side had struggled in the 2024-25 season finishing bottom. The Blades were only provided a reprieve to stay in the BWSL 2 due to Blackburn Rovers voluntarily withdrawing from the competition for financial reasons. There was work to be done, but with Ralph’s help, the side looked set to avoid the drop this time round.
Early on this season Ralph scored in back-to-back games against Durham and table-topping Birmingham City in September and looked to be finding her stride. However, a dislocated shoulder would rule her out until January.
Since her return, the plan has been to make up for lost time. Last month Ralph scored a stunning goal against Portsmouth, offering a glimpse of what the forward is capable of. The dynamic striker was alert to the opportunity on the counter ensuring her team mate, receiving the ball in behind, had an option. Ralph demonstrated maturity beyond her years to let the ball roll across her path before blasting it into the top corner. Sheffield United would go on to secure a valuable three points against their relegation rivals in front of a home crowd of 3,749 strong at Brammall Lane. The strike was nominated for BWSL 2 goal of the month for March.
As you can see, Ralph has a fierce shot on her and she isn't afraid to use it. She has averaged 2.25 shots per 90 minutes in the BWSL 2 this term and 1.15 shots on target per 90. Another skill lies in Ralph's ability to draw a foul helping her side get up the field, she ranks in the 85th percentile of most fouled players in the BWSL 2 this term, per 90. Equally as effective when drifting out wide, Ralph ranked in the 78th percentile for percentage of crosses successful this term too.
Familiar faces
Two of Ralph’s former Shamrock Rovers and Ireland youth team mates have joined her at Sheffield United since the summer. One was a just passing visit with goalkeeper Katie Keane signed on an emergency seven-day loan deal, but even in that time the pair combined in the Subway Women’s League Cup. Ralph opened the scoring against Durham and Keane added the bonus point extras with a couple of outstanding penalty saves in the shootout.
January saw the arrival of Lia O’Leary in Sheffield, on loan from Bristol City. Ralph’s former captain at under 19s level, O’Leary is a talented Irish youngster, still trying to find her feet on English shores. The duo have linked up for a plethora of goals over the years, so it seems wise to reunite them and let their natural on field chemistry do the rest.
A promising future
Ninth-placed Sheffield United face eleventh-placed Ipswich on Wednesday knowing that victory would ensure safety in a league in which they finished rock bottom last term. Ralph has been a key part of Sheffield United’s upturn in fortunes with another summer signing in Amy Andrews having an instant impact too.
Increased investment in the side has garnered just rewards on the pitch and next year the Blades women will move into a new training facility in Dore. The hope is Stephen Healy’s side will continue to progress up the table and, if they do, don’t be surprised when a certain Greenhill Boys Club alum is a large part of the reason why.
Word credit: Tom Maher
