Republic of Ireland’s Áine O’Gorman has come out of retirement and has made herself available for selection to play in Ireland’s European Championship qualifying games against Greece and Montenegro.
O’Gorman has 100 caps for the Republic of Ireland and scored 12 goals for the National team during her 12-year international career. The Peamount United captain retired from the Irish set-up back in September 2018 however due to injuries to both Megan Campbell and Keeva Keenan she has accepted the call-up to the National side.
Speaking at the squad announcement press conference, Ireland Head Coach, Vera Pauw, purred over the experience that O’Gorman will bring at the back, especially due to the injuries to full backs Megan Campbell and Keeva Keenan.
“That is the key reason why we’ve asked her to be available for us,” she said.
Pauw spoke of her intent to play O’Gorman in both qualifiers. “A player like that, you don’t bring in to not have intention with her.”
“And we (sic) see if it turns out that she will play, but we’ve discussed it openly with her and she’s very happy to make herself available.”
“We approached her because Aine had taken a step back from elite football, at least the time that she was investing in it because of her work commitments.
“We are very happy that she takes a risk to take this path for us. She is doing it for us and we are very very happy.”
BUZZING... I can’t wait to get back with the team for the upcoming qualifiers ⚽️???☘️ https://t.co/WX7ov3zyuN
— Áine O' Gorman (@Aineogor9) February 19, 2020
Pauw also spoke of her support for star striker Rianna Jarrett’s recent club move to Brighton & Hove Albion. In 2018 and 2019, Jarrett was named the Women’s National League Player of the Year and also helped the Wexford Youths secure an unprecedented treble. Her form in recent seasons earned her a move to England.
“It’s been a long process for her to decide,” she said. “What I understood is because she gets the time to get fit, she gets the support to get fit and she gets the support with her background of three ACL ruptures in her career.”
Jarrett felt she could get a “more individual approach” at Brighton, according to Pauw.
Jarrett joined Brighton on an initial six month contract after leaving her old club Wexford Youths.
Pauw was speaking ahead of Ireland's must win clash against Greece which takes place in Tallaght Stadium on 5th March.
Republic of Ireland squad:
Goalkeepers: Marie Hourihan (SC Braga), Grace Moloney (Reading), Courtney Brosnan (West Ham United), Niamh Reid Burke (Peamount United)
Defenders: Harriet Scott (Birmingham City), Aine O'Gorman (Peamount United), Louise Quinn (Arsenal), Diane Caldwell (SC Sand), Claire O'Riordan (MSV Duisburg), Jamie Finn (Shelbourne), Claire Walsh (Peamount United), Chloe Mustaki (Charlton Athletic)
Midfielders: Julie-Ann Russell (Sydney University), Niamh Fahey (Liverpool), Denise O'Sullivan (North Carolina Courage), Megan Connolly (Brighton & Hove Albion), Hayley Nolan (University of Hartford), Niamh Farrelly (Peamount United), Jessica Ziu (Shelbourne), Ruesha Littlejohn (West Ham United)
Forwards: Katie McCabe (Arsenal), Clare Shine (Glasgow City), Heather Payne (Florida State University), Leanne Kiernan (West Ham United), Amber Barrett (FC Koln), Rianna Jarrett (Brighton & Hove Albion)
