‘IT’S KIND OF A HAPPY, SAD TIME FOR ME’
O’Gorman retiring from Irish duty as a proud and rare centurion
SHE saved the tears for her father. ‘It was the only one of the conversations I had when I actually got emotional,’ Áine O’Gorman explains.
Until that point she had almost been clinical in her conviction to retire as a Republic of Ireland centurion, which was confirmed via an open letter on the FAI’s website at the start of this week.
O’Gorman spoke with close friends, teammates and former coaches about her intention to end a 12-year international career. She wasn’t looking for vindication or approval.
‘I thought about it and I know 100 per cent this is the right decision,’ she insists.
Older brother Seamus was one of her main influences growing up kicking a ball together in their garden in Enniskerry, but it was only when she came face to face with dad Jimmy that she eventually cracked.
‘I was letting my emotions out with him. He just couldn’t understand where I was coming from when I told him first, but he got there in the end,’ O’Gorman recalls. Current international manager Colin Bell was next to be informed. ‘He was happy for me to make the decision,’ she says.
Monday’s announcement was the start of what O’Gorman describes as a ‘whirlwind’ period. A fitness instructor and personal trainer at the Glenview Hotel, she was just finishing a session in the swimming pool when the FAI released the news of her retirement.
‘I had to gather my thoughts, my phone was hopping. I’ve been a bit overwhelmed by the kind words. I’ve been taken aback by it all.
‘There are no regrets about it now, I might have a little tinge when the girls are back over but I know this is the right decision and time for me.’
Some may be surprised by that. O’Gorman is just 29 and it isn’t injury which is bringing the curtain down on an international career which began aged 16 when Noel King threw her into the mix against Denmark in the Algarve Cup.
‘It’s kind of like a happy, sad time,’ she explains. ‘The last 12 years, playing for Ireland has been such a massive part of my life. You put everything else in life on hold to represent your country and it was something I was immensely proud to do.
‘It is a huge sacrifice, every decision you make, family life, your career, it all takes a back seat to football. Every decision you make has to suit football and your international career. It’s all worth it for that feeling of pulling on the green jersey, they are the decisions and sacrifices you have to make.
‘I am as fit as I’ve ever been, I’m still training hard and I will continue playing for Peamount. I wanted to go out on my terms, so to speak. The commitment that was required for the last 12 years, it felt right for me to take a step back and let the young talent come through.’ No one has done more for the cause of the next generation than O’Gorman. She was one of the three senior players at the forefront of their show of force when the women’s squad united at Liberty Hall to gain better working conditions from the FAI. Flanked either side by the more high-profile Emma Byrne and her best friend in football, Stephanie Roche, O’Gorman’s influence was pivotal.
‘She was one of the babies when she first joined up,’ Byrne, who along with Ciara Grant, Olivia O’Toole and now O’Gorman, are the only other female internationals to reach 100 caps, said recently.
‘She grew into one of the leaders. Some people can walk into a room and talk to anyone, there are politicians and footballers who will do that and tell you exactly what you want to hear. Áine isn’t like that, she will go into the room and be 100 per cent honest with you. If you don’t like it, well… She is very, very funny too, always finding the humour in bad situations.’
One of the great regrets of her Ireland career is that Ireland were unable to qualify for a major tournament, but it is O’Gorman’s contribution in highlighting the women’s team’s treatment by the FAI (described as ‘fifth class citizens’ at that powerful press conference) that will be remembered as a turning point in the fortunes of the sport in this country.
‘It showed that there is strength in unity and you can improve conditions, not just for women’s football but women’s sport in Ireland.
I was letting my emotions out with him. He couldn’t understand
We’re starting to get more recognition.
‘The crowds are improving, media coverage is increasing. There are sponsors on board making great efforts and the FAI are putting it in now too. It’s great. It’s the way it should be.
‘In any area of life, people working together and not against each other can achive more,’ O’Gorman continues.
‘We showed our character. It was an emotional roller-coaster, it was something that we didn’t want to do but had to be done. I’m proud of how we portrayed ourselves and what we did. It was emotional, it was draining the lengths we went to but it was hugely satisfying at the end of all.’
Manager Bell has gone on record since taking over with his belief that Ireland will qualify for a major tournament under his stewardship and O’Gorman agrees.
‘The pathway has been paved for them now and it is up to the players to go out and perform. I will be really chuffed for them if they do.
‘At times it was frustrating when, as team or a player, you think you could achieve more and maybe with resources that could have happened. It’s hard to compete when you don’t have it, that’s not an excuse anymore. There is always room for improvement but things have changed massively and the platform is now there.
‘The environment is very professional now. For me, I’ve given all I can give and to commit for another three years, I just couldn’t give the same dedication so I had to step back. There are better structures in place now coming through and it will be down to the players, they have to want it and want to work hard to get Ireland to a major tournament.
‘It is all there for players to fulfil their dreams, it’s down to them to go for it and take it.’