IRELAND BOSS VERA Pauw says centurion Áine O’Gorman can bring “a lot of experience” and “impact” to the squad after ending her international retirement.
The Peamount United midfielder — who can also play a defensive role — had stepped away from international football in September 2018, after earning her 100th cap against Norway, but has been included in the Ireland squad for their upcoming crucial back-to-back Euro 2021 qualifiers.
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At a press conference today, Pauw confirmed that management made the first approach to the 30-year-old, while the Girls In Green have been dealt severe injury blows in defence.
Manchester City defender Megan Campbell has been ruled out — “it is a nasty injury, but I’m not sure if I can give details about that for private reasons, of course. It looks like it will not be a short-term injury, unfortunately,” Pauw said on the Drogheda native, who has had her fair share of struggles in the past — while Celtic star Keeva Keenan is also sidelined.
2019 Women’s National League-winning captain O’Gorman is a welcome boost, though.
“Áine can bring in a lot of experience, that is the key reason why we’ve asked her to be available for us,” Pauw said. “Megan Campbell and Keeva Keenan are both full-backs, and that’s what we need. Obviously Áine can give the experience in the back that we need there.
“Obviously we would not bring her in if we didn’t have the intention to really find that out; whether she would be a starter.
“We’re very happy that she’s taken the risk to take this path for us. She’s doing it for us and we’re very, very happy with that and grateful.”