Eoin Harrington reporting from SuperValu Páirc Uí Chaoímh in Cork
Julie-Ann Russell was emotional after scoring a second goal in as many games on her return to the Ireland setup on a historic night for the WNT in Cork on Tuesday.
The world's number two ranked side France were vanquished 3-1 as Ireland finally found their feet in the qualifying group to end all qualifying groups.
Russell scored Ireland's second goal - a superb finish to the far corner with her left foot - to add to the late strike in Norwich last Friday.
For a woman who hadn't been part of an Ireland camp since 2020, it's some going. The Galway United star was emotional addressing the media at full-time, saying she had thought her days of lining out in green may be over.
I never thought I’d be playing again for Ireland again to be honest so to get that call from Eileen was amazing. I can’t really describe the feeling.
It just seems like it’s all a dream at the moment to be honest. I think I need a few days to reflect and to take it all in. I’m just so proud. I’m buzzing.
Based on the last two performances, it's hard to picture a future for Ireland without Julie-Ann Russell in it.
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Julie-Ann Russell ecstatic after historic Irish win
Alongside Leanne Kiernan up top, Russell's running game brought a new angle to Ireland's gameplan in Cork, with the pair consistently stretching the French backline.
Russell said that she felt Ireland had taken France by surprise by pressing so high and that they had gotten their just rewards.
I think we’re really good at pressing from the top. The back lines are probably not used to it, they’re probably given a bit too much respect form other teams.
We were forcing mistakes and then they were turning it over and we were getting chances. Finally then in the second half we took them.
It was an emotional night for the face of Cork football, Denise O'Sullivan, whose opening goal was the instigator for Ireland to kick on to a memorable victory.
Julie-Ann Russell's father hails from Cork, and she said he was "beaming with joy" in the stands at SuperValu Páirc Uí Chaoímh, alongside the rest of her family.
16 July 2024; Julie-Ann Russell of Republic of Ireland with her daughter Rosie after the 2025 UEFA Women's European Championship qualifying group A match between Republic of Ireland and France at Páirc Uí Chaoimh in Cork. Photo by Stephen McCarthy/Sportsfile
Russell's daughter Rosie has been the breakout star of this camp, and the 33-year-old said that it was a proud moment to have the one-year-old with her for the trip to Cork.
Really, really emotional. She just turned one there a couple of weeks ago.
My husband Ciaran was here with my daughter Rosie and my mum, dad, sister, nephews, nieces and all my relations. My dad is actually from Cork so it was great to have extra family in the stands today.
Russell's celebration - co-ordinated perfectly with the rest of the Irish team - pays tribute to Rosie, and the striker said it was "special" to get to carry it out with Rosie in the stands.
The celebration is going to be iconic now I think! It’s brilliant. We’ve been messing doing it all week. To get another goal and to be able to do it again was special.
The rest of the Irish players have spoken at length about the positive impact Rosie's presence in the team camp has had on squad morale this week.
Perhaps the best news to come out of this camp was Russell's confirmation that, should Ireland qualify for EURO 2025, Rosie will be onboard for the journey.
I think we’ll bring her with us if we go. She’s the camp baby now, so we’ll see.
Touch wood that Ireland and Rosie will be in Switzerland next summer.
After a wonderful night Leeside on Tuesday, it feels as though Julie-Ann Russell was never away from the Ireland camp. It has been a night filled with wonderful stories but, from this camp, the return of Russell may be the very best.
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