REPUBLIC OF IRELAND DEFENDER, Lucy Quinn, has admitted that she doesn't want to go to the World Cup 'just to enjoy it' after being reselected for the tournament last month.
Quinn, who has over 100 caps for her country, was left out of Vera Pauw’s squad for the friendly double-header against the US in April, but was recalled for the second game in St Louis.
Ireland would play two more warm-up games against Zambia and France at the Tallaght Stadium, but Quinn did not feature in either.
Despite this, Quinn was selected by Pauw for the 23-person panel for Ireland's inaugural tournament in Australia and New Zealand.
The Southampton-born native spoke to the media this week and admitted that now she is back in the squad, she will leave 'no stone unturned' when the tournament starts later this month.
“I’ve never taken any position for granted, but when I didn’t make that one, I was absolutely heartbroken,” she said.
“So when I was called in, it was my chance to give one last effort and leave no stone unturned."
✅Conquering jetlag
✅Beautiful Brisbane
✅Breaking into Vera Pauw's XI
Lucy Quinn tells @corkTOD she is determined to play as big a role as possible for the Republic of Ireland at the FIFA Women's World Cup
READ MORE: https://t.co/Y0vG5m07NO pic.twitter.com/Q0LPdTOMfK— RTÉ Soccer (@RTEsoccer) July 13, 2023
Quinn also added that she has a lot more to give, despite being one of the senior statespersons in the squad.
"Maybe I played better when I'm angry. I try to prove people wrong, so perhaps it motivated me," she added.
“And I want to push on now. I've gone from wanting to be in the squad to wanting to be in the team. I want to put my best foot forward and put myself in the best position.
“I want to kick on from this. I don't want to go to a World Cup just to enjoy it.
"I want to thrive in whatever role I have, keep pushing myself because I really feel I have a whole lot more to give."
Ireland squad
Goalkeepers: Courtney Brosnan (Everton), Grace Moloney (Reading), Megan Walsh (Brighton & Hove Albion)
Defenders: Heather Payne (Florida State University), Áine O'Gorman (Shamrock Rovers), Niamh Fahey (Liverpool), Louise Quinn (Birmingham City), Diane Caldwell (Reading), Claire O'Riordan (Celtic), Megan Connolly (Brighton & Hove Albion), Chloe Mustaki (Bristol City), Izzy Atkinson (West Ham United)
Midfielders: Katie McCabe (Arsenal), Denise O'Sullivan (North Carolina Courage), Lily Agg (London City Lionesses), Ruesha Littlejohn (Aston Villa), Ciara Grant (Hearts), Sinead Farrelly (NJ/NY Gotham), Lucy Quinn (Birmingham City)
Forwards: Kyra Carusa (London City Lionesses), Amber Barrett (Standard Liege), Marissa Sheva (Washington Spirit), Abbie Larkin (Shamrock Rovers)Training Players: Sophie Whitehouse, Harriet Scott, Jamie Finn
FIFA Women's World Cup 2023 - Group BJuly 20 | Australia v Ireland, Stadium Australia, Sydney, KO 11:00 (Irish Time)July 26 | Canada v Ireland, Rectangular Stadium, Perth, KO 13:00 (Irish Time)July 31 | Ireland v Nigeria, Lang Park, Brisbane, KO 11:00 (Irish Time)
