At the squad announcement Wednesday the disappointment of some teammates missing out on Vera Pauw’s 2023 World Cup army brought with it a muted trickle of jubilation, but at yesterday’s official presentation there was more than a downpour of excitement for those who were selected, personified none more so than in 21-year-old Izzy Atkinson.
Having been excluded in the initial extended squad, the West Ham player was then a late invitee into camp when it became apparent Megan Campbell’s injury could be more severe than initially hoped. Things escalated quickly from there with Pauw explaining that Atkinson is “jumping up five levels” at the moment, and that she simply couldn’t omit her from the squad given her form as of late.
“It's been probably the best 24 hours of my life” Atkinson says, diving into what it felt like to make the 23 woman squad.
“It's very overwhelming…I told my mam, my sister and all my family and their reaction was unbelievable.
“I came in as a training player, I had nothing to lose and no fear, and that really suited me. I just came in and it was really life or death like I had to just give it everything and luckily I thought I was performing in training and I got the chance against Zambia and I thought I done well.”
☘️ There they are now, the #IrishWNT headed to Oz!
🚨 World Cup incoming 🚨 @ballsdotie pic.twitter.com/KP3vWAoRfL— Alanna Cunnane (@acunnane10) June 29, 2023
With that Zambia appearance last Thursday marking just her second 45 minute stint under Pauw’s 29 game reign, her late impression has obviously been an impactful one, and also one that Atkinson is “really proud” to have made.
“I think I reacted well to the pressure.
“In training I didn't feel too much pressure so I was confident, free to play and, you know, do as I do. I think I built confidence in training and then when it came to Zambia game, it was pressure, but I think I was ready for it.”
🇮🇪 Izzy Atkinson is heading to the World Cup!
She has been named in @IrelandFootball's squad for the upcoming tournament! 🙌 pic.twitter.com/5THHynZCr2— West Ham United Women (@westhamwomen) June 28, 2023
Izzy Atkinson - The journey so far
Now faced with a trip to Oz, Ireland’s first ever major women’s tournament and the summer of a lifetime on the world stage, the left winger turned wing back is taking all of the new found attention in her stride and even acknowledging those who got her to this point.
From a primary school teacher, Ms Denis to one of her first coaches at Rush Athletic named Brendan, the former Shelbourne star is ever so thankful to everyone that has helped her along the way.
“When I signed for West Ham and when I signed for Celtic I didn't get this reaction, like the amount of messages, the amount of people, it's just so special”
“Especially people that helped me along the way since I was a kid, I'm so grateful for everybody because I wouldn't be here today if it wasn't for you know, when I was six years old, one of my friends playing with me, or my first manager, or my teachers in school."
29 June 2023; Izzy Atkinson is presented with her jersey by Republic of Ireland manager Vera Pauw during a Republic of Ireland FIFA Women's World Cup 2023 squad announcement event at O'Reilly Hall in UCD, Dublin. Photo by Stephen McCarthy/Sportsfile
Bearing that in mind, the 2022 Scottish Cup final goal-scorer is ready to get back to work and focus on the task of the World Cup at hand.
“My da was telling me to embrace it, you know, everybody saying things and stuff. Then he was also saying that your head has to get back on” she says.
“We had a day off when the squad was announced, which was nice. So, you know I had time to be with my family and settle with stuff and now we're here back to business.”
A new experience both on and off the pitch for West Ham’s freshest World Cup debutante, Atkinson can’t wait to get going Down Under.
“Flying to Australia like I've never been on a flight that long and then just the games, like playing against Australia in front of 80,000 people like it's going to be unbelievable.”
“I've never experienced anything like that so. The World Cup itself, like it's the first ever World Cup, I'm just so proud I’m going to be there and I'm so excited.”
“I don't know [how to contain the excitement]. It's just so many feelings that you just you just need to take it day by day.”
With just weeks to go until the Irish WNT kick off against Australia on July 20th, there will be plenty of hype and trill to come yet.
