A point on the board, and a stitch in time- Ireland’s World Cup legacy is that of the way it honoured legends of the game, ushered in a new generation and pointed towards the endless possibility of women’s football in this country.
Cheered on by hardened supporters, as well as more than one or two welcome bandwagoners, their result versus Nigeria today signaled the end of an era, as well as the start of a new age.
⚽️ Yes the #IrishWNT are out of the #WorldCup, but to all of the bandwagoners-welcome, do stick around!
☘️This team have so much more to give.
👏Whether you think McCabe should play higher up or that xyz should start, the main thing is you keep engaged with the debate #COYGIG https://t.co/KZBV9Asqaf— Alanna Cunnane (@acunnane10) July 31, 2023
Speaking with Balls.ie, Women’s Premier Division great Rebecca Creagh spoke of the lasting impression this tournament will have, as well as it’s effect in converting the general Irish public to become invested.
“I think because of this World Cup people have changed their perception of women's football” she says.
“They were calling it the ‘Group of Death’ and it very much was that with the host nation, the Olympic champions and the 11 time African champions Nigeria, but I’m hoping that people are looking at this Irish team and saying, Jesus, they can play football.”
Highlighted none more so than the two extremes of “fearless” young breakout star Abbie Larkin and “veteran” centurion Aine O’Gorman, both of whom play for Shamrock Rovers, a key factor in that progression to world stardom is grassroots football.
We all start from somewhere 💚#COYGIG | #Grassroots pic.twitter.com/ZlrAZKTbSk
— Ireland Football ⚽️🇮🇪 (@IrelandFootball) July 17, 2023
As Creagh points out, the impact of the Women’s Premier Division can be seen throughout the WNT, and should as a result receive the backing it so greatly warrants, and desperately needs.
“There's a league here for people to invest in, and that’s obvious with the likes of Aine and Abbie who are current players, but like the bulk of that squad came from this league and that saw them go on to further afield” she says.
“I think look with the right investment, the right funding and in the right hands, this league can just keep growing and developing.”
“We've seen that over the last 12 years how far we've come, but we can go so much further. I say it year on year at this point but as much as we’ve grown there’s still got a long, long way to go.”
Aspiring that that tangible and non monetary support will surface in the attendances at WPD games and the upcoming Northern Ireland friendly at the Aviva stadium,Creagh urges people to rightly stay on the hype train.
“I know there’s people saying that some have just jumped on the bandwagon, but they have to start somewhere and hopefully we can keep the momentum going” she says.
With uncertainty surrounding both the management system and the international future of some of Ireland’s most experienced players the future may look to hang in the balance, but what is for sure is that they’ve changed the course of women’s football here at home, as well as the layman’s perspective on it.
A power struggle, or at least a perceived one, between the Republic of Ireland manager Vera Pauw and captain Katie McCabe is playing out in the public eye. pic.twitter.com/jA414vbPfO
— RTÉ Soccer (@RTEsoccer) July 31, 2023
A World Cup legacy in a new era for Irish football
Timing of substitutions and the positioning of key players are just some of the aspects that have seen Ireland manager Vera Pauw come under criticism as of late.
Having sparked a player/manager debate Roy Keane and Mick McCarthy would be proud of at today’s press conference, it seems by saying nothing much at all captain Katie McCabe has said everything as to the teams stance on the Dutch woman’s future in the role.
In fact, even just an emoji has exposed how tight lipped the team, and the FAI, have been on the matter.
🤐
— Katie McCabe (@Katie_McCabe11) July 31, 2023
Speaking on the encounter, Creagh provides her opinion on what unfolded.
“I just don't think the timing of it was right from Vera” she says, “I know for a fact Katie wouldn't drop names like that and I think it's a case of, but I don't know, that Vera is just going out swinging.”
“To throw a player under the bus like that, and it's not the first time she's done it, it's just a little bit bitter or it's a little bit you know, unprofessional to say the least.”
Pointing towards the prospect that there’s been “quite a lot of baggage” and that it could be Pauw’s “final call” in the job, she also explains how the lack of comment from the FAI is so telling.
“I think she might be a bit frustrated that she's not maybe getting her way with the FAI, that's why it seems to me” she says.
“The silence is quite deafening from the FAI standpoint. I think if it was case that she'd be staying on, it would have been known by now.”
Tunnel walk photo for Vera. pic.twitter.com/JSFKVIfq1a
— Balls.ie (@ballsdotie) July 31, 2023
With a line seemingly drawn in the sand then, what’s next for this WNT under the guise of this World Cup legacy in a new era for Irish football?
A whole lot. Starting with a homecoming on Thursday evening, Creagh and many Girls in Green fans are excited to “start fresh” in a new cycle.
“I think it might be a case of that the older girls, you know the Niamh Faheys, the Aines, Louise Quinn and Diane Caldwell, they’re probably looking towards the end of their international careers and listen that's not to say that they still can't compete… they've been amazing servants to our game and I think it could be just the case that look it's going to just be a clean slate after this” she says.
“We can see what we have to offer as a as a country now with our pool of players and we have a great core group still there.
“We’ve young players and then link players and we have those girls who are kind of like the bulk of the older generation, but there is so many great, great girls within the squad and still a few at home as well.
“We can we can push on further now and I'm sure it's going to be very interesting few weeks or months.”
End of this journey, but what a trip it's been!
The win in Helsinki, 11-0 v Georgia, the draw with Sweden. Hampden, obviously.
This team broke new ground. What a legacy they'll share. #COYGIG pic.twitter.com/Eo0vrQYpC0— Balls.ie (@ballsdotie) July 31, 2023
SEE ALSO: The Depth Of The Ireland's Disappointment In Perth Is Testament To How Far They’ve Come
