Ireland will increase its preparations for the World Cup qualifiers in Sweden in April
Republic of Ireland v Poland La Manga, Spain, 2.30pm
A provisional tournament under a Spanish sun, with three matches in six days, is exactly what Vera Pauw requires to ensure that Ireland can live with Sweden in Gothenburg for the World Cup qualifier on 12 April.
Thanks to the cap 100 for Liverpool skipper Niamh Fahey for a competent Polish outfit and there is a lot to keep the growing fan base imprisoned.
“It’s a difficult question,” Fahey replied when it was suggested that this milestone surpasses older brother Gary who lifted Sam Maguire in 2001. “He lands today for tomorrow’s match so I can ask him myself.
“My family is extremely proud of me and we are a GAA strong household so they can rank an All-Ireland slightly higher or on par. I have to ask my dad about it. When I put on the green jersey they come to everyone “My matches at Tallaght. It’s great for them and myself.”
Fahey won her own Celtic Cross with Galway’s 2004 women’s soccer team.
“Yes, I guess at this point I could probably trump him.”
Even now, after all that the 34-year-old has achieved, from a decent stinginess at Arsenal before Chelsea since Bordeaux led her to Liverpool 2018, the failure to qualify for a major tournament continues to rank in a career that is guaranteed to stand. The tooth of the time.
“I have managed to get 99 internationals but not making it to a major final is a disappointment so hopefully it will happen in this campaign. We are in a tough group but I am very sure that we can finally cross the border. ”
It’s the bad days that linger when Fahey is asked about memories from the road to 100 caps.
“We had the euro [2009] playoffs against Iceland. It was 1-1 in the first match at home and lost 3-0 away. The second stage should not have gone ahead because the plane was frozen. They were wearing some special shoes but we could not get hold of them.
“It was like skating and one of our players got off and went to the hospital and thought she had broken both wrists from falling on the pitch. It was only because there were cameras there and Uefa said it had to. Noel King was going crazy and wanted the match to be interrupted after two minutes.
“That was the closest we’re come so far.”
Ireland (possible): Brosnan; Fahey, Louise Quinn, Caldwell; Ziu, Connolly, O’Sullivan, McCabe (captain); Lucy Quinn, Payne, Carusa.