For the first time in 19 years, Irish football fans can look forward to seeing Ireland play at a World Cup. Vera Pauw's WNT made history by qualifying for a major women's tournament in the country's history, after victory over Scotland in Tuesday night's play-off.
It was an emotional night for all involved, not least Pauw herself, and the road has been tough, as Ireland have punched above their weight on the way to the World Cup.
Ireland faced one of the best teams in the world in Sweden along the way, as well as holding their own in crucial home and away wins over Finland.
They have fully earned their place in Australia and New Zealand for the World Cup next year, after a memorable qualifying campaign for Ireland. After many tough years in the past, and awful treatment from many corners of football in Ireland, the women's team have gotten their just reward.
Sportsfile have been there the whole way - here are some of the best shots from the qualifying journey and beyond.
Ireland's historic World Cup qualifying campaign in pictures
![Ireland WNT strike](https://img.resized.co/balls_ie/eyJkYXRhIjoie1widXJsXCI6XCJodHRwczpcXFwvXFxcL21lZGlhLmJhbGxzLmllXFxcL3VwbG9hZHNcXFwvMjAyMlxcXC8xMFxcXC8xMjEwMjkzNlxcXC93b21lbnMtdGVhbS1zdHJpa2UuanBnXCIsXCJ3aWR0aFwiOlwiNzY4XCIsXCJoZWlnaHRcIjpcIjUxMVwiLFwiZGVmYXVsdFwiOlwiaHR0cHM6XFxcL1xcXC93d3cuYmFsbHMuaWVcXFwvaW1hZ2VzXFxcL2JyYW5kLWltYWdlLmpwZ1wiLFwib3B0aW9uc1wiOntcIm91dHB1dFwiOlwid2VicFwiLFwicXVhbGl0eVwiOjk5fX0iLCJoYXNoIjoiYTJjYTE0NDg2MmU2YWUwZjRjNjkzODE2OWY2YmM0ODRkYzk1YzZkZSJ9/in-pictures-the-long-road-for-ireland-to-the-world-cup.jpg)
4 April 2017; Stephanie Roche, centre, of the Republic of Ireland Women's National Team alongside team-mates, seated from left, captain Emma Byrne, Aine O'Gorman, and Ethel Buckley, left, SIPTU Services Division, calling for equal treatment for the women's national team. Photo by Cody Glenn/Sportsfile
![Ireland respect campaign](https://img.resized.co/balls_ie/eyJkYXRhIjoie1widXJsXCI6XCJodHRwczpcXFwvXFxcL21lZGlhLmJhbGxzLmllXFxcL3VwbG9hZHNcXFwvMjAyMlxcXC8xMFxcXC8xMjEwMzA0OFxcXC93b21lbnMtdGVhbS1yZXNwZWN0LWNhbXBhaWduLmpwZ1wiLFwid2lkdGhcIjpcIjc2OFwiLFwiaGVpZ2h0XCI6XCI0NjJcIixcImRlZmF1bHRcIjpcImh0dHBzOlxcXC9cXFwvd3d3LmJhbGxzLmllXFxcL2ltYWdlc1xcXC9icmFuZC1pbWFnZS5qcGdcIixcIm9wdGlvbnNcIjp7XCJvdXRwdXRcIjpcIndlYnBcIixcInF1YWxpdHlcIjo5OX19IiwiaGFzaCI6IjBjNWY1M2M3N2VkZDBiNTc5ODY1YTM1MTMxZTE4NWM1NjBmN2RkNjUifQ==/in-pictures-the-long-road-for-ireland-to-the-world-cup.jpg)
4 April 2017; Republic of Ireland Women's National Team captain Emma Byrne, centre, with team-mates, from left, Karen Duggan, Aine O'Gorman, Claire Shine, Niamh Fahey, Jetta Berril, Ruesha Littlejohn, Niamh Reid-Burke, Katie McCabe, Julianne Russell, Megan Campbell, Diane Caldwell, Stephanie Roche, and Louise Quinn following a women's national team press conference at Liberty Hall in Dublin. Photo by Cody Glenn/Sportsfile
![Katie McCabe Aine O'Gorman](https://img.resized.co/balls_ie/eyJkYXRhIjoie1widXJsXCI6XCJodHRwczpcXFwvXFxcL21lZGlhLmJhbGxzLmllXFxcL3VwbG9hZHNcXFwvMjAyMlxcXC8xMFxcXC8xMjEwMzIwOFxcXC9LYXRpZS1NY0NhYmUtQWluZS1PR29ybWFuLmpwZ1wiLFwid2lkdGhcIjpcIjc2OFwiLFwiaGVpZ2h0XCI6XCI1MzVcIixcImRlZmF1bHRcIjpcImh0dHBzOlxcXC9cXFwvd3d3LmJhbGxzLmllXFxcL2ltYWdlc1xcXC9icmFuZC1pbWFnZS5qcGdcIixcIm9wdGlvbnNcIjp7XCJvdXRwdXRcIjpcIndlYnBcIixcInF1YWxpdHlcIjo5OX19IiwiaGFzaCI6ImUyZTJhMjEzZjM0Y2QwMjI4NDRkMmVjN2Q0ZDU1MWIzZWNhMmUwOWUifQ==/in-pictures-the-long-road-for-ireland-to-the-world-cup.jpg)
23 October 2020; Aine O'Gorman, left, and Katie McCabe of Republic of Ireland leave the pitch following the UEFA Women's EURO 2022 Qualifier match to Ukraine, which saw Ireland knocked out. Photo by Stephen McCarthy/Sportsfile
![Finland away anthem](https://img.resized.co/balls_ie/eyJkYXRhIjoie1widXJsXCI6XCJodHRwczpcXFwvXFxcL21lZGlhLmJhbGxzLmllXFxcL3VwbG9hZHNcXFwvMjAyMlxcXC8xMFxcXC8xMjEwMzMxOFxcXC9GaW5sYW5kLWF3YXktYW50aGVtLmpwZ1wiLFwid2lkdGhcIjpcIjc2OFwiLFwiaGVpZ2h0XCI6XCI1MDhcIixcImRlZmF1bHRcIjpcImh0dHBzOlxcXC9cXFwvd3d3LmJhbGxzLmllXFxcL2ltYWdlc1xcXC9icmFuZC1pbWFnZS5qcGdcIixcIm9wdGlvbnNcIjp7XCJvdXRwdXRcIjpcIndlYnBcIixcInF1YWxpdHlcIjo5OX19IiwiaGFzaCI6IjUxNmUwMjJkNDY2ODg0MDJhMTg2NDA0MzE2NzJhZjEyN2E4NDU5NzgifQ==/in-pictures-the-long-road-for-ireland-to-the-world-cup.jpg)
26 October 2021; Republic of Ireland players, including Leanne Kiernan, centre, stand for the playing of the National Anthem before the FIFA Women's World Cup 2023 qualifying group A match between Finland and Republic of Ireland at Helsinki Olympic Stadium in Helsinki, Finland. Photo by Stephen McCarthy/Sportsfile
![Denise O'Sullivan Helsinki](https://img.resized.co/balls_ie/eyJkYXRhIjoie1widXJsXCI6XCJodHRwczpcXFwvXFxcL21lZGlhLmJhbGxzLmllXFxcL3VwbG9hZHNcXFwvMjAyMlxcXC8xMFxcXC8xMjEwMzMyM1xcXC9GaW5sYW5kLWF3YXktRGVuaXNlLU9TdWxsaXZhbi5qcGdcIixcIndpZHRoXCI6XCI3NjhcIixcImhlaWdodFwiOlwiNTQyXCIsXCJkZWZhdWx0XCI6XCJodHRwczpcXFwvXFxcL3d3dy5iYWxscy5pZVxcXC9pbWFnZXNcXFwvYnJhbmQtaW1hZ2UuanBnXCIsXCJvcHRpb25zXCI6e1wib3V0cHV0XCI6XCJ3ZWJwXCIsXCJxdWFsaXR5XCI6OTl9fSIsImhhc2giOiIwODI3ODE2OGI1Yzk0MjkwNmI2NmZkMmJmM2QzYjBhYjI4OGM1NmYwIn0=/in-pictures-the-long-road-for-ireland-to-the-world-cup.jpg)
26 October 2021; Denise O'Sullivan of Republic of Ireland celebrates at the final whistle of the FIFA Women's World Cup 2023 qualifying group A match between Finland and Republic of Ireland at Helsinki Olympic Stadium in Helsinki, Finland. Photo by Stephen McCarthy/Sportsfile
![Scoreboard Georgia Tallaght](https://img.resized.co/balls_ie/eyJkYXRhIjoie1widXJsXCI6XCJodHRwczpcXFwvXFxcL21lZGlhLmJhbGxzLmllXFxcL3VwbG9hZHNcXFwvMjAyMlxcXC8xMFxcXC8xMjEwMzQxOVxcXC9JcmVsYW5kLUdlb3JnaWEtMTEtMC5qcGdcIixcIndpZHRoXCI6XCI3NjhcIixcImhlaWdodFwiOlwiMzc0XCIsXCJkZWZhdWx0XCI6XCJodHRwczpcXFwvXFxcL3d3dy5iYWxscy5pZVxcXC9pbWFnZXNcXFwvYnJhbmQtaW1hZ2UuanBnXCIsXCJvcHRpb25zXCI6e1wib3V0cHV0XCI6XCJ3ZWJwXCIsXCJxdWFsaXR5XCI6OTl9fSIsImhhc2giOiI1NjU1MjE3YWQzNTEyOWY0YzJjNTRiMTAxYTc4MGZmNjMyY2U1NjFiIn0=/in-pictures-the-long-road-for-ireland-to-the-world-cup.jpg)
30 November 2021; A general view of the final scoreboard after the FIFA Women's World Cup 2023 qualifying group A match between Republic of Ireland and Georgia at Tallaght Stadium in Dublin. Photo by Stephen McCarthy/Sportsfile
![Sweden away Ukraine](https://img.resized.co/balls_ie/eyJkYXRhIjoie1widXJsXCI6XCJodHRwczpcXFwvXFxcL21lZGlhLmJhbGxzLmllXFxcL3VwbG9hZHNcXFwvMjAyMlxcXC8xMFxcXC8xMjEwMzUxNVxcXC9Td2VkZW4tYXdheS1Td2VkaXNoLWZhbnMuanBnXCIsXCJ3aWR0aFwiOlwiNzY4XCIsXCJoZWlnaHRcIjpcIjUxMVwiLFwiZGVmYXVsdFwiOlwiaHR0cHM6XFxcL1xcXC93d3cuYmFsbHMuaWVcXFwvaW1hZ2VzXFxcL2JyYW5kLWltYWdlLmpwZ1wiLFwib3B0aW9uc1wiOntcIm91dHB1dFwiOlwid2VicFwiLFwicXVhbGl0eVwiOjk5fX0iLCJoYXNoIjoiZDY0NGNkZDY1YzY2ODBjZDg5MjE5ZDE5Y2QzZGI5MjAyYWI2OTBjOSJ9/in-pictures-the-long-road-for-ireland-to-the-world-cup.jpg)
12 April 2022; Republic of Ireland players stand for the playing of the National Anthem as supporers hold card in the colours of Ukraine before the FIFA Women's World Cup 2023 qualifying match between Sweden and Republic of Ireland at Gamla Ullevi in Gothenburg, Sweden. Photo by Stephen McCarthy/Sportsfile
![Katie McCabe Sweden](https://img.resized.co/balls_ie/eyJkYXRhIjoie1widXJsXCI6XCJodHRwczpcXFwvXFxcL21lZGlhLmJhbGxzLmllXFxcL3VwbG9hZHNcXFwvMjAyMlxcXC8xMFxcXC8xMjEwMzUwN1xcXC9Td2VkZW4tYXdheS1LYXRpZS1NY0NhYmUuanBnXCIsXCJ3aWR0aFwiOlwiNzY4XCIsXCJoZWlnaHRcIjpcIjQ4OFwiLFwiZGVmYXVsdFwiOlwiaHR0cHM6XFxcL1xcXC93d3cuYmFsbHMuaWVcXFwvaW1hZ2VzXFxcL2JyYW5kLWltYWdlLmpwZ1wiLFwib3B0aW9uc1wiOntcIm91dHB1dFwiOlwid2VicFwiLFwicXVhbGl0eVwiOjk5fX0iLCJoYXNoIjoiZjcwZjJkZTY1ZGEwZjI4MWIyYjcyNzZlMmM4MjZhYzViMjllOTc2NiJ9/in-pictures-the-long-road-for-ireland-to-the-world-cup.jpg)
12 April 2022; Republic of Ireland captain Katie McCabe speaks to her teammates in the huddle after the FIFA Women's World Cup 2023 qualifying match between Sweden and Republic of Ireland at Gamla Ullevi in Gothenburg, Sweden. Photo by Stephen McCarthy/Sportsfile
![Young Ireland fan with Niamh Fahey](https://img.resized.co/balls_ie/eyJkYXRhIjoie1widXJsXCI6XCJodHRwczpcXFwvXFxcL21lZGlhLmJhbGxzLmllXFxcL3VwbG9hZHNcXFwvMjAyMlxcXC8xMFxcXC8xMjEwMzUyMVxcXC9Td2VkZW4tYXdheS15b3VuZy1mYW4uanBnXCIsXCJ3aWR0aFwiOlwiNzY4XCIsXCJoZWlnaHRcIjpcIjUxNVwiLFwiZGVmYXVsdFwiOlwiaHR0cHM6XFxcL1xcXC93d3cuYmFsbHMuaWVcXFwvaW1hZ2VzXFxcL2JyYW5kLWltYWdlLmpwZ1wiLFwib3B0aW9uc1wiOntcIm91dHB1dFwiOlwid2VicFwiLFwicXVhbGl0eVwiOjk5fX0iLCJoYXNoIjoiM2Y1N2ZlNDI2YTFjMWI0YjMxZTljNzQ1ZTUzYThjOTk0ZDNhNmZjZCJ9/in-pictures-the-long-road-for-ireland-to-the-world-cup.jpg)
12 April 2022; Niamh Fahey of Republic of Ireland celebrates with Republic of Ireland supporter Annie Mulholland, age 7, from Newbridge, Kildare, after the FIFA Women's World Cup 2023 qualifying match between Sweden and Republic of Ireland at Gamla Ullevi in Gothenburg, Sweden. Photo by Stephen McCarthy/Sportsfile
![Finland home Lily Agg goal](https://img.resized.co/balls_ie/eyJkYXRhIjoie1widXJsXCI6XCJodHRwczpcXFwvXFxcL21lZGlhLmJhbGxzLmllXFxcL3VwbG9hZHNcXFwvMjAyMlxcXC8xMFxcXC8xMjEwNDMyMVxcXC9GaW5sYW5kLWhvbWUtZ29hbC5qcGdcIixcIndpZHRoXCI6XCI3NjhcIixcImhlaWdodFwiOlwiMzUxXCIsXCJkZWZhdWx0XCI6XCJodHRwczpcXFwvXFxcL3d3dy5iYWxscy5pZVxcXC9pbWFnZXNcXFwvYnJhbmQtaW1hZ2UuanBnXCIsXCJvcHRpb25zXCI6e1wib3V0cHV0XCI6XCJ3ZWJwXCIsXCJxdWFsaXR5XCI6OTl9fSIsImhhc2giOiIzMjVjYTg4YzNhYzNiOWU5ODU0ZDIyNTFiM2ZlYWEyYzg5NzdiNGEwIn0=/in-pictures-the-long-road-for-ireland-to-the-world-cup.jpg)
1 September 2022; Lily Agg of Republic of Ireland, 12, celebrates with teammates after scoring their side's first goal during the FIFA Women's World Cup 2023 qualifier match between Republic of Ireland and Finland at Tallaght Stadium in Dublin. Photo by Seb Daly/Sportsfile
![Ireland fans Tallaght](https://img.resized.co/balls_ie/eyJkYXRhIjoie1widXJsXCI6XCJodHRwczpcXFwvXFxcL21lZGlhLmJhbGxzLmllXFxcL3VwbG9hZHNcXFwvMjAyMlxcXC8xMFxcXC8xMjEwNDMzMlxcXC9GaW5sYW5kLWhvbWUtc2VsZmllLmpwZ1wiLFwid2lkdGhcIjpcIjc2OFwiLFwiaGVpZ2h0XCI6XCI1MDNcIixcImRlZmF1bHRcIjpcImh0dHBzOlxcXC9cXFwvd3d3LmJhbGxzLmllXFxcL2ltYWdlc1xcXC9icmFuZC1pbWFnZS5qcGdcIixcIm9wdGlvbnNcIjp7XCJvdXRwdXRcIjpcIndlYnBcIixcInF1YWxpdHlcIjo5OX19IiwiaGFzaCI6IjE2OTg0ZmYyNDE5MjQzNDk2ZjU5NTMwZjljYWFmMGZhNzRjZmQyZDMifQ==/in-pictures-the-long-road-for-ireland-to-the-world-cup.jpg)
1 September 2022; Denise O'Sullivan of Republic of Ireland celebrates after the FIFA Women's World Cup 2023 qualifier match between Republic of Ireland and Finland at Tallaght Stadium in Dublin. Photo by Stephen McCarthy/Sportsfile
![young Ireland fans Finland home](https://img.resized.co/balls_ie/eyJkYXRhIjoie1widXJsXCI6XCJodHRwczpcXFwvXFxcL21lZGlhLmJhbGxzLmllXFxcL3VwbG9hZHNcXFwvMjAyMlxcXC8xMFxcXC8xMjEwNDM0MVxcXC9GaW5sYW5kLWhvbWUteW91bmctZmFucy5qcGdcIixcIndpZHRoXCI6XCI3NjhcIixcImhlaWdodFwiOlwiNTM2XCIsXCJkZWZhdWx0XCI6XCJodHRwczpcXFwvXFxcL3d3dy5iYWxscy5pZVxcXC9pbWFnZXNcXFwvYnJhbmQtaW1hZ2UuanBnXCIsXCJvcHRpb25zXCI6e1wib3V0cHV0XCI6XCJ3ZWJwXCIsXCJxdWFsaXR5XCI6OTl9fSIsImhhc2giOiI4MGRkNzcwOWZkNzY5NjFiOTI4M2YzZTg0OTFkZWRjOTMzNzNkMTFiIn0=/in-pictures-the-long-road-for-ireland-to-the-world-cup.jpg)
1 September 2022; Megan Campbell of Republic of Ireland with supporters after the FIFA Women's World Cup 2023 qualifier match between Republic of Ireland and Finland at Tallaght Stadium in Dublin. Photo by Seb Daly/Sportsfile
![Megan Campbell throw in Ireland qualify World Cup play-off](https://img.resized.co/balls_ie/eyJkYXRhIjoie1widXJsXCI6XCJodHRwczpcXFwvXFxcL21lZGlhLmJhbGxzLmllXFxcL3VwbG9hZHNcXFwvMjAyMlxcXC8xMFxcXC8xMjEwNDgyM1xcXC9TbG92YWtpYS1NZWdhbi1DYW1wYmVsbC10aHJvdy1pbi5qcGdcIixcIndpZHRoXCI6XCI3NjhcIixcImhlaWdodFwiOlwiNDMyXCIsXCJkZWZhdWx0XCI6XCJodHRwczpcXFwvXFxcL3d3dy5iYWxscy5pZVxcXC9pbWFnZXNcXFwvYnJhbmQtaW1hZ2UuanBnXCIsXCJvcHRpb25zXCI6e1wib3V0cHV0XCI6XCJ3ZWJwXCIsXCJxdWFsaXR5XCI6OTl9fSIsImhhc2giOiI2YzUxYTQ5YzZiY2ZjY2IxZDFlZjFhNmE1M2IyMTUxNThkNzQ3YjQxIn0=/in-pictures-the-long-road-for-ireland-to-the-world-cup.jpg)
6 September 2022; Megan Campbell of Republic of Ireland during the FIFA Women's World Cup 2023 Qualifier match between Slovakia and Republic of Ireland at National Training Centre in Senec, Slovakia. Photo by Stephen McCarthy/Sportsfile
![Vera Pauw Megan Campbell Ireland qualify World Cup play-off](https://img.resized.co/balls_ie/eyJkYXRhIjoie1widXJsXCI6XCJodHRwczpcXFwvXFxcL21lZGlhLmJhbGxzLmllXFxcL3VwbG9hZHNcXFwvMjAyMlxcXC8xMFxcXC8xMjEwNDgxNVxcXC9TbG92YWtpYS1JcmVsYW5kLmpwZ1wiLFwid2lkdGhcIjpcIjc2OFwiLFwiaGVpZ2h0XCI6XCI1MDVcIixcImRlZmF1bHRcIjpcImh0dHBzOlxcXC9cXFwvd3d3LmJhbGxzLmllXFxcL2ltYWdlc1xcXC9icmFuZC1pbWFnZS5qcGdcIixcIm9wdGlvbnNcIjp7XCJvdXRwdXRcIjpcIndlYnBcIixcInF1YWxpdHlcIjo5OX19IiwiaGFzaCI6IjlmZDE2Y2U5MjFiNjBlODUwNjJjNzA2ZjRmOGZlMDFmZDgwZjA2OWMifQ==/in-pictures-the-long-road-for-ireland-to-the-world-cup.jpg)
6 September 2022; Republic of Ireland manager Vera Pauw and Megan Campbell after the FIFA Women's World Cup 2023 Qualifier match between Slovakia and Republic of Ireland at National Training Centre in Senec, Slovakia. Photo by Stephen McCarthy/Sportsfile
![Amber Barrett goal Hampden Park Ireland World Cup playoff](https://img.resized.co/balls_ie/eyJkYXRhIjoie1widXJsXCI6XCJodHRwczpcXFwvXFxcL21lZGlhLmJhbGxzLmllXFxcL3VwbG9hZHNcXFwvMjAyMlxcXC8xMFxcXC8xMjEwNTkyMlxcXC9TY290bGFuZC1BbWJlci1CYXJyZXR0LUdvYWwuanBnXCIsXCJ3aWR0aFwiOlwiNzY4XCIsXCJoZWlnaHRcIjpcIjUxNlwiLFwiZGVmYXVsdFwiOlwiaHR0cHM6XFxcL1xcXC93d3cuYmFsbHMuaWVcXFwvaW1hZ2VzXFxcL2JyYW5kLWltYWdlLmpwZ1wiLFwib3B0aW9uc1wiOntcIm91dHB1dFwiOlwid2VicFwiLFwicXVhbGl0eVwiOjk5fX0iLCJoYXNoIjoiOTFhOTJhM2FhNWFjZTU3YzA4MjlmMTk2YTJiY2ZiN2JmZmE4ODQ5ZiJ9/in-pictures-the-long-road-for-ireland-to-the-world-cup.jpg)
11 October 2022; Amber Barrett of Republic of Ireland scores her side's first goal during the FIFA Women's World Cup 2023 Play-off match between Scotland and Republic of Ireland at Hampden Park in Glasgow, Scotland. Photo by Stephen McCarthy/Sportsfile
![Ireland World Cup play-off goal celebration](https://img.resized.co/balls_ie/eyJkYXRhIjoie1widXJsXCI6XCJodHRwczpcXFwvXFxcL21lZGlhLmJhbGxzLmllXFxcL3VwbG9hZHNcXFwvMjAyMlxcXC8xMFxcXC8xMjEwNTQ1M1xcXC9TY290bGFuZC1BbWJlci1CYXJyZXR0LUdvYWwtQ2VsZWJyYXRpb24uanBnXCIsXCJ3aWR0aFwiOlwiNzY4XCIsXCJoZWlnaHRcIjpcIjUxMVwiLFwiZGVmYXVsdFwiOlwiaHR0cHM6XFxcL1xcXC93d3cuYmFsbHMuaWVcXFwvaW1hZ2VzXFxcL2JyYW5kLWltYWdlLmpwZ1wiLFwib3B0aW9uc1wiOntcIm91dHB1dFwiOlwid2VicFwiLFwicXVhbGl0eVwiOjk5fX0iLCJoYXNoIjoiZjA1YTZkYjJhYWZmNTliZTFjZjY3Nzc2ODczNTA4OTA1MjIzMTRjMyJ9/in-pictures-the-long-road-for-ireland-to-the-world-cup.jpg)
11 October 2022; Republic of Ireland players celebrates after Amber Barrett, bottom, scored their side's first goal during the FIFA Women's World Cup 2023 Play-off match between Scotland and Republic of Ireland at Hampden Park in Glasgow, Scotland. Photo by Mick O'Shea/Sportsfile
![Amber Barrett Donegal flag Ireland qualify World Cup](https://img.resized.co/balls_ie/eyJkYXRhIjoie1widXJsXCI6XCJodHRwczpcXFwvXFxcL21lZGlhLmJhbGxzLmllXFxcL3VwbG9hZHNcXFwvMjAyMlxcXC8xMFxcXC8xMjEwNTYzNlxcXC9TY290bGFuZC1BbWJlci1CYXJyZXR0LURvbmVnYWwtZmxhZy5qcGdcIixcIndpZHRoXCI6XCI3NjhcIixcImhlaWdodFwiOlwiNTIzXCIsXCJkZWZhdWx0XCI6XCJodHRwczpcXFwvXFxcL3d3dy5iYWxscy5pZVxcXC9pbWFnZXNcXFwvYnJhbmQtaW1hZ2UuanBnXCIsXCJvcHRpb25zXCI6e1wib3V0cHV0XCI6XCJ3ZWJwXCIsXCJxdWFsaXR5XCI6OTl9fSIsImhhc2giOiIxZjllZTQ3ZDZlZTEyOTU4YmRiNmNkY2YyZWRhNWQ0M2ExZTg4NWNmIn0=/in-pictures-the-long-road-for-ireland-to-the-world-cup.jpg)
11 October 2022; Amber Barrett of Republic of Ireland celebrates with a Donegal flag after the FIFA Women's World Cup 2023 Play-off match between Scotland and Republic of Ireland at Hampden Park in Glasgow, Scotland. Photo by Stephen McCarthy/Sportsfile
![Katie McCabe Ruesha Littlejohn Ireland qualify World Cup](https://img.resized.co/balls_ie/eyJkYXRhIjoie1widXJsXCI6XCJodHRwczpcXFwvXFxcL21lZGlhLmJhbGxzLmllXFxcL3VwbG9hZHNcXFwvMjAyMlxcXC8xMFxcXC8xMjEwNTc0NlxcXC9TY290bGFuZC1LYXRpZS1NY0NhYmUuanBnXCIsXCJ3aWR0aFwiOlwiNzY4XCIsXCJoZWlnaHRcIjpcIjUxN1wiLFwiZGVmYXVsdFwiOlwiaHR0cHM6XFxcL1xcXC93d3cuYmFsbHMuaWVcXFwvaW1hZ2VzXFxcL2JyYW5kLWltYWdlLmpwZ1wiLFwib3B0aW9uc1wiOntcIm91dHB1dFwiOlwid2VicFwiLFwicXVhbGl0eVwiOjk5fX0iLCJoYXNoIjoiNjliN2ExNTlmMzEzODQ4NmMxNDY5MWE1YzMyYzc4NDc3MDg3YzJhOCJ9/in-pictures-the-long-road-for-ireland-to-the-world-cup.jpg)
11 October 2022; Katie McCabe of Republic of Ireland celebrates with Ruesha Littlejohn, right, after the FIFA Women's World Cup 2023 Play-off match between Scotland and Republic of Ireland at Hampden Park in Glasgow, Scotland. Photo by Stephen McCarthy/Sportsfile
![Vera Pauw Louise Quinn Ireland qualify World Cup](https://img.resized.co/balls_ie/eyJkYXRhIjoie1widXJsXCI6XCJodHRwczpcXFwvXFxcL21lZGlhLmJhbGxzLmllXFxcL3VwbG9hZHNcXFwvMjAyMlxcXC8xMFxcXC8xMjEwNTgyMlxcXC9TY290bGFuZC1WZXJhLVBhdXctTG91aXNlLVF1aW5uLmpwZ1wiLFwid2lkdGhcIjpcIjc2OFwiLFwiaGVpZ2h0XCI6XCI1MTZcIixcImRlZmF1bHRcIjpcImh0dHBzOlxcXC9cXFwvd3d3LmJhbGxzLmllXFxcL2ltYWdlc1xcXC9icmFuZC1pbWFnZS5qcGdcIixcIm9wdGlvbnNcIjp7XCJvdXRwdXRcIjpcIndlYnBcIixcInF1YWxpdHlcIjo5OX19IiwiaGFzaCI6ImYyNmNkOGY1ZGYwMjZhYjY4MTRjMjlmNGFjMGNjOWNlMjkzMDlhMzIifQ==/in-pictures-the-long-road-for-ireland-to-the-world-cup.jpg)
11 October 2022; Republic of Ireland manager Vera Pauw, right, and Louise Quinn of Republic of Ireland celebrate after the FIFA Women's World Cup 2023 Play-off match between Scotland and Republic of Ireland at Hampden Park in Glasgow, Scotland. Photo by Stephen McCarthy/Sportsfile
![Ireland celebrate qualifying for World Cup](https://img.resized.co/balls_ie/eyJkYXRhIjoie1widXJsXCI6XCJodHRwczpcXFwvXFxcL21lZGlhLmJhbGxzLmllXFxcL3VwbG9hZHNcXFwvMjAyMlxcXC8xMFxcXC8xMjEwNTg1MFxcXC9TY290bGFuZC1WZXJhLVBhdXctY2VsZWJyYXRpb24xLmpwZ1wiLFwid2lkdGhcIjpcIjc2OFwiLFwiaGVpZ2h0XCI6XCI0ODdcIixcImRlZmF1bHRcIjpcImh0dHBzOlxcXC9cXFwvd3d3LmJhbGxzLmllXFxcL2ltYWdlc1xcXC9icmFuZC1pbWFnZS5qcGdcIixcIm9wdGlvbnNcIjp7XCJvdXRwdXRcIjpcIndlYnBcIixcInF1YWxpdHlcIjo5OX19IiwiaGFzaCI6IjE1YzhlYmI1NmYwMjczZjBlMTJkZjlmZjg2YWVkYTAyY2Q2YzFmNjAifQ==/in-pictures-the-long-road-for-ireland-to-the-world-cup.jpg)
11 October 2022; Republic of Ireland manager Vera Pauw celebrates with her players after the FIFA Women's World Cup 2023 Play-off match between Scotland and Republic of Ireland at Hampden Park in Glasgow, Scotland. Photo by Stephen McCarthy/Sportsfile