IT’S A TESTING TIME FOR IRISH COLLEGE GIRLS
WOMEN’S EUROPEAN CHAMPIONSHIP Germany v Rep of Ireland
Saturday, 1pm
LAST November spawned frustration for Vera Pauw as she ran into American intransigence.
Thankfully for the Ireland head coach, there was no repeat this week as Heather Payne and Harriet Scott were able to cross the Atlantic in time for Saturday’s Euro qualifier in Germany.
Pauw was unhappy the duo weren’t released from their colleges for a crucial qualifier in Greece 10 months ago.
“That was just bad timing,” explained
Payne, who plays for the Florida State Seminoles. “I had college exams and it’s hard to balance both.
“Sometimes things go like that. I’ve never had any doubt about coming back for this game.”
The Covid- 19 pandemic could have scuppered those plans but, with her classes for this semester all online, that has actually helped her cause.
Having spent the summer in Tallahassee, she was permitted to return home a week ago for the first time since Ireland’s last get- together in March.
Based in Sydney, Julie- Ann Russell ( inset) wasn’t as fortunate as she has had to remain in Australia due to government restrictions.
“I’ve been very lucky regarding the quarantine restrictions,” Payne admitted. “Thankfully I won’t have to quarantine when I go back to Florida. We get tested three times per week in America so it’s all safe and the protocols are all there. As regards starting this week, it all depends what Vera has planned and what her gameplan is and how she sees it going into this game.” While currently top of the qualifying group, Ireland will be very much up against it in Essen.
“Ireland are sitting at the top, so that’s great for the mentality,” stressed Payne.
“We’re all aware Germany have a game in hand and they have beaten teams by a lot of goals and we have to play them twice, and Ukraine. We’ll be levelheaded because we still have a lot of big tasks ahead.”