There was a special delivery to the Republic of Ireland Women's National Team hotel on Wednesday evening in the shape of an Irish passport for Lucy Quinn.
For the 27-year-old, it had been a long time in coming having initially started the process to become eligible to represent Ireland some years ago.
But now the Birmingham City forward has received the green light to be in contention for a place in Vera Pauw's team - just in time for next Tuesday's International Friendly against Australia at Tallaght Stadium.
WELCOME THE GIRLS IN GREEN BACK TO TALLAGHT!
🇮🇪 v 🇦🇺| Tuesday, Sep 21 | KO 19:00
🎟 Secure your seat NOW 👉 https://t.co/cAXiQ19fj8#IRLAUS | #COYGIG | #WeAreOne pic.twitter.com/5f3RhPKenQ— FAIreland ⚽️🇮🇪 (@FAIreland) September 16, 2021
Quinn, whose grandparents hail from County Sligo, is excited to pull on the Ireland jersey having spent time training with the squad this week at the FAI National Training Centre.
"This is massive for my family, I've wanted to do this for them for such a long time. To be involved in my first camp with Ireland is such a proud moment," said Quinn.
"I started the process to become eligible five years ago once I knew that I wanted to play for Ireland. It was always a goal in my mind the whole time, but there were issues with paperwork and Brexit and some other things. I think I put my Dad through a lot of stress collecting information that he was not aware of, in terms of family history, so this is a massive thank you to him.
GREEN LIGHT 🚦@LucyQuinn7 gets clearance to represent WNT 👏
Just in time for #IRLAUS 🇮🇪🇦🇺
Full Details 👉 https://t.co/4RujBTJZYl
🎟 Get Your Tickets 👉 https://t.co/cAXiQ19fj8#COYGIG | #WeAreOne pic.twitter.com/pMUUaLZjeo— FAIreland ⚽️🇮🇪 (@FAIreland) September 16, 2021
Quinn, who has also played for Portsmouth, Yeovil Town and Tottenham Hotspur, says that she always had a green shirt on growing up and was fully aware of her Irish roots.
There was no escaping the Irish connection once she joined Birmingham this year with Marie Hourihan, Harriet Scott, Louise Quinn, Jamie Finn, Eleanor Ryan-Doyle and Emily Whelan now all club-mates.
The Southampton-born attacker has instantly felt at home in the Irish camp and is excited to prove herself to Vera.
"The girls have been great. Vera has been talking with me for a while now and has shown a lot of faith in me. I'm delighted to be here to show what I can do. I was buzzing even putting on the training kit...I think green suits me," said Quinn.
"It is a competitive squad and it is fantastic to have an opportunity to represent your national team. I think it will help me become a better footballer.
"The girls in this squad have been amazing and what they have achieved off the pitch is mind blowing. I want to be part of that, to inspire the next generation.
"The target now is to get that first cap and to become a regular in the squad. I want to become the other Quinn in the squad...Louise has been amazing for such a long time, I knew of her for many years, so if I can make my stamp on the squad and score a few goals, I can hopefully help the team to push on."
L. Quinn x L. Quinn ☘️☘️☘️ https://t.co/SKJUSf3IzA pic.twitter.com/DPQ83lwuVo
— Louise Quinn (@louise_quinn4) September 16, 2021
Republic of Ireland WNT Squad
Goalkeepers: Grace Moloney (Reading), Courtney Brosnan (Everton), Eve Badana (DLR Waves)
Defenders: Harriet Scott (Birmingham City), Niamh Fahey (Liverpool), Diane Caldwell (North Carolina Courage), Louise Quinn (Birmingham City), Claire Walsh (Glasgow City), Savannah McCarthy (Galway WFC), Áine O'Gorman (Peamount United), Isibeal Atkinson (Celtic)
Midfielders: Denise O'Sullivan (North Carolina Courage), Jamie Finn (Birmingham City), Ruesha Littlejohn (Aston Villa), Ciara Grant (Shelbourne), Niamh Farrelly (Glasgow City), Aoibheann Clancy (Wexford Youths), Jess Ziu (Shelbourne), Katie McCabe (Arsenal)
Forwards: Heather Payne (Florida State University), Rianna Jarrett (London City Lionesses), Amber Barrett (FC Koln), Kyra Carusa (HB Hoge), Clare Shine (Glasgow City), Emily Whelan (Birmingham City), Saoirse Noonan (Shelbourne), Leanne Kiernan (Liverpool), Lucy Quinn (Birmingham City)
International Friendly
Republic of Ireland v Australia
Tuesday, September 21
Tallaght Stadium
KO 19:00
LIVE on RTÉ2
Tickets on sale now
