Water polo star Casserly set for historic move to Italy
Teenage international joining Genoese side in top tier of Italian league
Galway teenager Laura Casserly is set to take a landmark step in her sporting career after signing with Sori Pool Beach in Genoa, where she will compete in the top senior tier of Italian water polo in the 2026/27 season, which gets underway next month.
The 18-years-old, who has just completed her Leaving Certificate at Salerno Secondary School on Threadneedle Road, attracted interest from leading European clubs following an outstanding performance for Ireland at the U-20 European Championships in Portugal in August.
Her move to Italy marks a major breakthrough for an Irish female player and will see her test herself in one of Europe’s strongest domestic competitions.
Casserly has already represented Ireland at four European Championships, progressing through the underage ranks while also becoming a member of the senior Irish women’s team at the age of 16. She has consistently finished as Ireland’s leading scorer, including at the 2025 U-18 European Championships in Malta and the 2026 U-20 European Championships in Portugal.
Her performances have earned widespread recognition. She was named the 2025 Swim Ireland Female Water Polo Player of the Year and, in January 2026, received the Galway Sports Star Award for water polo. Over recent seasons she has also collected multiple MVP honours at junior and senior level in Ireland.
At club level, Casserly played a central role in a historic season for Tribes Water Polo Club, helping the Galway side secure its first senior national titles. She has also captained teams at national and international levels, coached younger players and emerged as a leading figure for the next generation of Irish water polo.
The teenager puts her success down to passion for the game, dedication and hard work. But equally as important is the expert coaching and guidance she has received from Tribes and Ireland head coach, Goran Sablic, the support of the Tribes committee, her team members, family, and friends.