I DON’T HAVE AINE REGRETS
ÁINE O’Gorman has no regrets about leaving international football behind for a second time — even if Ireland are now mixing it with the big guns.
The Shamrock Rovers star called time on her Ireland career last August, after the World Cup homecoming and after her 119th senior cap.
“I’m happy enough with that now, and I got to play in a World Cup,” said the soon-to-be 35-year-old.
“Hopefully the girls can keep going now and qualify for the European Championships.”
The Wicklow woman insists she doesn’t miss the big international days.
“No, I don’t actually, to be honest,” O’Gorman insisted.
“I was happy to play when I did and I enjoy my club football, despite the results not going our way at the moment.
“I obviously still take a huge interest in it. I probably watch even more games in women’s football than I did before.
“I enjoy going along to the games, doing commentary or punditry or whatever.”
Working
It is an exciting time to be working on Ireland games after their promotion to League A for the Euro 2025 qualifiers — and the draw with England, France and Sweden, with all three sides in the world’s top six.
Eileen Gleeson’s side have lost to
France and England in their opening fixtures, with a double-header to come against Sweden at the end of the month and start of June.
But Ireland are at least guaranteed a play-off at the end of the pool campaign.
“Obviously it’s been a really tough group and it doesn’t really get any easier,” said O’Gorman.
“The Nations League was particularly 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.
“The game against Sweden at the end of this month is going to be particularly tricky because they came through a little transition period and I was impressed with them against England.
“These games will set us up to be competitive when we get into that play-off, whoever it is going to be against.
Standard
“I hope that they’ll be a lesser standard than what we’ve come up against in the group!”
On the pitch, O’Gorman and her Hoops colleagues have experienced a frustrating start to the season.
Last weekend’s 2-0 loss to champions Peamount was their first defeat of the campaign but they had only picked up four draws and no wins prior to that.
“We haven’t got off to a great start resultswise, it’s a bit disappointing with all the effort we’re putting in,” she said.
“We’re playing OK as well, we’re just not putting the ball in the back of the net so hopefully that will come in due course.
“Obviously Galway have got off to a flying start but we want to stop dropping points and be more competitive.”
n PFA Ireland and Sports Direct have struck a €140,000 deal to provide professional League of Ireland players with new football boots.
The deal is worth €70,000 each year over the next two seasons and will see 350 pros — male and female — receive a €200 voucher towards new boots.