Ireland's Julie-Ann Russell has claimed that playing in the Euros would be a dream come true for her.
The Irish women's team has a fantastic chance to make it to their inaugural Euros tournament in Switzerland next year if they manage to overcome Wales this month and next.
Eileen Gleeson's side will play Wales in Cardiff on November 29 and then play the return leg in Dublin at the Aviva Stadium on December 2.
Russell, the final goalscorer in the 3-0 win over Georgia this week, helped the team record a 9-0 aggregate victory.
Buoyed by her goals and her return to the Ireland setup, the Galway United player admits that playing in her debut major tournament would be a dream.
“It's phenomenal, and it’d be my dream to play in the Euros," said Russell to the Mirror after the win this week.
🇮🇪 Julieann Russell says she will stay sharp by training with @salthilldevonfc upon returning for the Wales Euro play-off game next month#Ireland #coygig #football #julieannrussell pic.twitter.com/VjEHFD736g
— Irish Football Fan TV (@irishfantv) October 30, 2024
“It would be an absolute dream to qualify; I will just keep going and keep trying, and hopefully, we will do it in the next two games.”
Russell missed Ireland's World Cup campaign due to the birth of her daughter, Rosie, but is now firmly back in the team.
Detailing what life was like back then, watching the Ireland team against Nigeria, Canada, and Australia, the Ireland star admitted that she thought she wouldn't be able to get back on the pitch with her teammates after the birth of her daughter.
“I vividly remember watching the first game against Australia. [Rosie] was about two weeks old. I was watching on the couch,” added Russell.
“I was so emotional watching the girls, so happy for them. I know the hard work, grit, and determination they put in, and some of them were my best friends who were playing.
“I was so proud, and never in my life did I think I'd be back playing again.”
