This year’s Outstanding Achievement Award went to the Ireland women’s soccer team who qualified for the World Cup for the first time after beating Scotland 1-0 in a playoff in Hampden Park in Glasgow.
A penalty save by Courtney Brosnan and a second half goal by substitute Amber Barrett of Turbine Potsdam secured a memorable victory for the ‘Girls in Green’ and booked their ticket to the World Cup in Australia / New Zealand.
Scotland , United Kingdom - 11 October 2022; Republic of Ireland manager Vera Pauw joins the celebrates with her players and staff after 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 via Getty Images)Barrett whose grandparents were born and bred in Creeslough and who spent a lot of time in the village growing up, dedicated the goal to the ten people who died following an explosion at a petrol station in the village just four days earlier.
In a touching tribute afterward, Barrett who’s from Milford said; “This is the best day of my life in terms of what we’ve done for football, but when you put it into perspective, we don’t scratch the surface of what happened over there. This result, this game, that goal – I’m dedicating it for those ten beautiful souls who unfortunately perished on Friday, for all their families.”
The Glasgow win was the culmination of a long qualifying campaign which featured two wins over group second seeds Finland, a 1-1 draw away to world number two side Sweden and an away win over Slovakia.
Led ably by Katie McCabe the campaign featured strong performances by players like Denise O’Sullivan, Louise Quinn, Heather Payne, Niamh Fahey and Aine O’Gorman.
Vera Pauw’s team, who have been drawn in Group B alongside Australia, Canada and Nigeria will travel to their Brisbane base determined to make more history.
The Ireland women's soccer team won the Outstanding Achievement prize at the Irish Times/Sport Ireland Sportswoman of the Year Awards 2022 #ITSportswoman (via @IrishTimesSport) https://t.co/t8wer6663R
— Irish Times Sport (@IrishTimesSport) December 20, 2022
Paying tribute to all the 2022 winners, Sports Editor of The Irish Times Noel O’Reilly said women’s sport this year has been momentous on both the national and international stages.
“Yet again the bar has been pushed ever higher with inspirational performances and achievements across the board. A huge congratulations to all the monthly winners, sportswomen whose stories continue to show the next generation that nothing is impossible. They are heroes of Irish life, examples to our daughters and sons and a credit to their families, coaches, partners, and friends.”
This is the 19th year of the awards and other recipients of the 12 monthly awards
The Minister for Tourism, Culture, Arts, Gaeltacht, Sport and Media, Catherine Martin TD said:
“This has been an excellent year for Irish sport, and it is important to recognise and celebrate the success of our many sportswomen across such a broad range of sports during the year. Their dedication and commitment to their sport and their determination to succeed is so inspiring and is such an example for young girls all over the country. I want to congratulate all of this year’s award recipients and acknowledge their enormous contribution to Irish sport.”
Dr Una May, CEO of Sport Ireland, paid tribute to all the award winners.
‘Over the past year we have witnessed some remarkable successes in a wide range of sports with our athletes making history and breaking records on a regular basis. Sport Ireland are a proud partner of The Irish Times to mark their achievements. I would like to congratulate all of today’s award winners and thank them for being such fine ambassadors for both their sport and their country.’
For further information on the Awards go to; http://www.irishtimes.com/sport/sportswoman-of-the-year
