JESI ROSSMAN has just about come to terms with the Irish climate.
And the American defender learned, in football terms, one swallow does not make a summer.
Midway through last year, Rossman followed compatriots and former Monmouth University teammates Dana Scheriff and Madie Gibson to Athlone Town.
The trio helped Athlone win the FAI Cup and, while Scheriff has since left for Swiss club Aarau, Gibson and Rossman stayed put.
The Florida native admitted having Scheriff and Gibson there when she first arrived helped her no end but it has taken longer to adjust to the inclement weather.
Rossman said: “I played in college with Madie and Dana so after I graduated I knew I wanted to keep playing.
“I reached out to them for some tips on how they got overseas, their experience, and they said, ‘Why don’t you come over and play in Ireland?’.
“I think it’s been what I expected. We train hard, we’re full-time which I love and the level is great. I didn’t know much about Ireland but I just knew that Madie and Dana loved it here, so I was just excited to come here.
“I went to college far away from home but I’ve never been this far so it’s nice to have a few people I know from America but I’ve obviously made some great friends here.
“I’m glad Madie is still here and we get to play together for a little bit longer.
“Not having them here would have made it a tougher transition so it was good not only having people to spend time with off the pitch but also playing with people I’d already played with.”
As for the weather, Rossman said: “It’s very windy and rainy but hopefully we’ll have a nice summer. Me and Madie were just talking about it when we were biking home in the pouring rain one day, that in America if it rains like this nobody goes outside.
“You have to get on with your life and do normal stuff when it’s raining but when the sun is out we’re outside taking advantage.”
Athlone’s all-weather pitch — where they will host DLR Waves tonight — means the weather is not too much of a variable but away games can be different.
Rossman said: “When we’re away it’s a huge adjustment, especially if it’s muddy on the pitch, or if the pitch is slick because it’s raining.
“We’re used to playing here no matter the weather because it’s always quick on this pitch.
“But it’s an adjustment depending on the weather when we’re away.”
GOOD START
Ciarán Kilduff’s side opened in style with a 3-0 win over Peamount United in the Presidents Cup.
A 2-0 loss to Galway United in their league opener was a reality check but they have since beaten Bohemians and Peas in the league, as well as defeating Glentoran and Sligo Rovers in the All-Island Cup.
And Rossman said: “That was a good start. We might have got ahead of ourselves a little bit.
“We played really well and were excited for the start of the season and thought every game was going to go that way but it doesn’t always work that way in football.
“Galway set us back into reality. But after that we’ve done well and we’re on a good roll.”