After defeating Jimmy Connors in 1980, former Wimbledon champion Vitas Gerulatis uttered the immortal words that would follow him for the remainder of his career.
Nobody beats Vitas Gerulaitis 17 times in a row.
Today, Kilkenny United WFC had their Vitas Gerulatis moment. After joining the Women's National League at the start of the 2015-16 season, the Leinster club had failed to win a league match in their first 33 attempts.
📣 One to remember: @KilkennyWFC celebrate their first victory in @FAI_WNL after overcoming @GalwayWFC #HardWorkPaysOff pic.twitter.com/pXy2DH8EcO
— Women's National League (@LoiWomen) July 9, 2017
During the 2015-16 season, Kilkenny drew 1-1 against Cork City five matches into the campaign. Since then, the side had suffered nothing but heartbreak.
After failing to earn a point in the 2016 season, and losing their opening nine games of the 2017 season, history was made on Sunday afternoon in Thomastown.
Leanne Tumelty scored the momentous goal in a 1-0 win over Galway WFC to give Casey McQuillan's side their first league win. A former league-winning manager with Raheny United, McQuillan only joined the side last month.
The season has been a tough one for the league's bottom club. In their opening nine games of the season, Kilkenny United had a goal difference of -43, scoring only three goals.
With the hoodoo over, things are only looking up for the side now. Their next game is at home to Cork City Womens FC on Sunday.
