Amber Barrett dedicated Ireland’s historic victory to the victims of the Creeslough tragedy in an emotional night in Hampden Park.
Following results in earlier games that saw wins for Switzerland and Portugal, Ireland knew a win tonight would send them to the World Cup next year in Australia and New Zealand.
In a night where the whole squad in the entire campaign can consider themselves as heroes, Amber Barrett’s goal in the 71st minute gave Ireland a 1-0 win over Scotland to send them to the World Cup.
Barrett’s cool finish into the bottom corner put Ireland in the lead, and they defended for their lives in the longest 25 minutes of their lives.
GOAL IRELAND!!!
Amber Barrett with the speed and the finish to put Ireland into the lead at Hampden Park
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For so many players in the squad it was an emotional, historic night that they will remember for the rest of their lives. For Donegal’s Amber Barrett, this meant so much more than football.
READ HERE: Celtic Hold Hugely Poignant Minute's silence For Creeslough Victims
The match-winner dedicated her goal to the victims of the Creeslough tragedy, where ten people died at a service station explosion.
Speaking to Tony O’Donoghue, wrapped proudly in her Donegal flag, the nation's hero Amber Barrett had those who lost their lives at a place she knows so well the front of her mind.
'This is for all the young kids growing up - now they have something to dream for'
Wrapped in her Donegal flag, goal hero Amber Barrett speaks to @Corktod
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📱 Updates - https://t.co/mwmAKKQyjN #rtesoccer #SCOIRL pic.twitter.com/9tto36j2uh— RTÉ Soccer (@RTEsoccer) October 11, 2022
“I know Creeslough like the back of my hand, both my grandparents were Creeslough born and bred, I spent my whole upbringing there in the summers and Christmas’s every year I go back.
I know people that died in the tragedy, I know people who were affected by the tragedy, I know people who were first on the scene at the tragedy.I’ve mot been able to put into words about it, there’s been a sombreness about me the last few days.
This is the best day of my life in terms of what we’ve done for football, bit when you put it into perspective, we don’t scratch the surface of what happened there on Friday.
This result, this game, that goal this award, I’m dedicating it for those ten beautiful souls who unfortunately perished on Friday. This is for Creeslough, this is for Donegal.”
No matter what happens in the future, Amber Barrett and her teammates will be hero's in all our eyes.
SEE ALSO: History Made As Milford's Amber Barrett Sends Ireland To First-Ever Women's World Cup
11 October 2022; Amber Barrett of Republic of Ireland celebrates after scoring 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
