O’Gorman: Tough Euros will stand to Irish

ÁINE O’Gorman has acknowledged the absence of any ‘middle ground’ as the Irish women’s team find themselves out of the shallow waters of the Nations League and swimming with the sharks in the European Championship.

‘The Nations League was easier, it was a good chance to build confidence but it’s probably gone from one extreme standard to the next and there’s been no middle ground for that transition period,’ observed O’Gorman, who won 119 caps.

‘It’s been a really tough group. In the opening game Ireland had to play England and then the two games coming up against Sweden, so it doesn’t really get any easier.

‘I don’t think it gets more difficult than that and I think the game against Sweden at the end of this month is going to be particularly tricky because they came through a little transition period as well and I was impressed with them against England.

‘I thought they (Sweden) defended well and hurt them really well on the counterattack but against Ireland it’s different opposition. We like to sit in and be compact.

‘They (Ireland) are trying to bring in new players as well. Anna Patten was in the last camp, Aoife Mannion back from injury as well, so I think the team is just trying to come through.’

Playing three of the top six teams in the world should be of benefit to Ireland who have already secured their Euro play-off place.

‘Absolutely. I think these games against these teams will set us up to be competitive when we get into that play-off, whoever it is going to be against.

‘I hope that they’ll be a lesser standard than what we’ve come up against in the group.’

O’Gorman, 35 next Monday, has no regrets at calling it a day in green after the World Cup finals in Australia.

Does she miss it? ‘No, I don’t. I think I was happy to play when I did and I got to play in a World Cup. Hopefully the girls can keep going now and qualify for the European Championships.

‘I’m happy to enjoy my club football, despite the results not going our way at the moment.’

At club level, Shamrock Rovers have struggled to build up a head of steam in the Women’s Premier Division with four draws and a loss so far.

‘We haven’t got off to a great start resultswise. It’s a bit disappointing with all the effort we’re putting in,’ said O’Gorman.