Though Ireland lost 2-1 to England in their latest Euro qualifier, Julie-Ann Russell’s goal in the final seconds of the match was enough to boost the morale of the girls in green.
With four minutes of added time, Russell was able to pull off a goal in the third minute thanks to one of Megan Campbell’s legendary long distance throw-ins.
👋 For Baby Rosie 🥹
(Our videographer was just as excited as everyone else for that one😅) #COYGIG | #OUTBELIEVE pic.twitter.com/ItKGgmaAR2— Ireland Football ⚽️🇮🇪 (@IrelandFootball) July 12, 2024
Speaking to RTE’s Tony O’Donoghue, Russell dedicated her goal against the Lionesses to her baby daughter.
“Very emotional afterwards, obviously she’s at home and I can’t wait to see her tomorrow and give her a big hug and a kiss.”
“She had an absolute super time in Castleknock and she didn’t make the trip to England, but she’ll be back into camp tomorrow down in Cork”, she said regarding the unique experience of having the first child in the Ireland camp.
'I'm having the time of of my life at the moment'
Goal scorer Julie-Ann Russel savoured scoring away to European champions England #RTESport pic.twitter.com/8Zxst5Zxkt— RTÉ Sport (@RTEsport) July 12, 2024
Having not played for Ireland since 2020, the Galway United player further credits her daughter for her strength on the pitch post-maternity leave.
“I suppose since having Rosie, I actually feel fitter and stronger since coming back from mat leave. Feeling good and just want to give anything to this team and it’s been so welcoming since coming back and i’m just having the time of my life at the moment.”
It was Ireland's first goal of the campaign and could have huge ramifications on the shakedown for playoff seedings.
Veteran footballer and RTE Sport Commentator Karen Duggan who has played alongside Russell for decades, weighed in on her performance.
"I might be a bit biased but I thought it was an unbelievable goal", Duggan remarked.
She added,
"We spoke about the impact of the subs: Megan obviously known for her throw but Louise alerted the flick on, Caitlin Hayes, you backed them to win any ball in and if this is not an easy finish, and after all of the running she did in that half, you could be forgiven if she had stayed offside and maybe if she had snatched up the chance. But to hook it over her shoulder like that, that takes a lot of skill."
Looking at the bigger picture, it is safe to say that this was not a typical line up for Ireland. Skipper Katie McCabe was notably absent after previously receiving a yellow card for challenging Sweden’s Johanna Rytting Karneryd at a past Euro qualifier game in Stockholm.
Stepping into her shoes as captain was midfielder Denise O’Sullivan who was later selected as player of the match.
Two goals were conceded by Ireland during their header against Sarina Wiegman’s side. One was a point earned by superstar Alessia Russo who, at five minutes in, capitalised on an assist by Beth Meade. The final English point came during the second half and was the result of a penalty awarded to the Lionesses after Niamh Fahey pulled back Lauren Hemp.
Despite this loss, O’Sullivan emphasised that the girls in green would persevere and work on reorganisation to avoid facilitating opposing goals.
“Yeah look, those two goals were definitely preventable but look, we keep our heads up and we kept going. We fixed the pressing about twenty minutes into the game and we got organized again and we continued to build, continued to attack and look, when you put on this green jersey it’s very important to give one hundred percent and I'm so honoured to play for this team and we just keep on pushing.”
🏴2-1🇮🇪
'That goal will stand to us going into the next game'
Denise O'Sullivan was concentrating on the positives after Ireland's defeat to England #RTESport
📱Updates: https://t.co/jFJfThrIBg
📺Watch: https://t.co/b2OI4OoWVJ pic.twitter.com/XuIp1kiE2D— RTÉ Sport (@RTEsport) July 12, 2024
Of particular significance to O’Sullivan, a Cork native, is Ireland’s next Euro qualifying fixture against France at Supervalu Páirc Uí Chaoimh on Sunday where she will have the opportunity to return and play in her hometown.
“I can’t wait to get back to my hometown, it’s been over seven years since we last played there. But yeah, we’ll go in with a positive mindset and try to get on the scoresheet again and we’ll keep building off the performances.”
