‘It still hasn’t sunk in’ – Birmingham City’s Quinn reflects on Republic of Ireland fairytale | OneFootball

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WSL Full-Time

·28 December 2022

‘It still hasn’t sunk in’ – Birmingham City’s Quinn reflects on Republic of Ireland fairytale

Article image:‘It still hasn’t sunk in’ – Birmingham City’s Quinn reflects on Republic of Ireland fairytale

Birmingham City forward Lucy Quinn has admitted that her achievements with the Republic of Ireland are yet to sink in.

The 29-year-old won a long battle to obtain an Irish passport in September 2021 and she then made her debut for the Republic of Ireland in an international friendly match against Australia later that month. After making her maiden appearance for The Girls In Green, Quinn went on to make seven appearances for her country in their successful qualifying campaign for the FIFA Women’s World Cup Australia and New Zealand 2023.

Quinn’s rise at international level has been rapid while the player has come into the squad at the most exciting point in the Republic of Ireland’s history. When speaking to FAWSL Full-Time in a recent interview, Quinn said that the events of the last 16 months are yet to sink in.


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“I didn’t expect to be called into the squad and to be asked to play such a huge part in it so early in terms of starting games and being pushed straight into a World Cup qualifying campaign,” Quinn said. “It was an environment that I hoped I would thrive in and where I would be able to show that I was serious about being a part of the national team.

“It’s not easy, it a such a competitive squad and there are so many good players coming out of Ireland at the minute so for me, it was such a proud moment just to feature. When you think about what we did – qualifying for a major tournament, it was just unbelievable and it still hasn’t sunk in if I’m honest. It is something that you wake up and look forward to everyday and hopefully, I’ll be on that plane.”

The Republic of Ireland will kick-off their first-ever appearance at a major tournament finals with a fixture against host nation Australia on 20 July 2023. Quinn went on to say that facing the CommBank Matildas in their home World Cup will be an unbelievable experience.

She said “Regardless (of the draw), it was going to be special. I was up first thing in the morning for that draw, way before my alarm was due to go off. I had brushed my teeth and I was jumping around in the bathroom when I heard that we had got Australia in the opening game because it’s a great way to start it all off. There will be a lot of eyes on that game, the atmosphere will be incredible, in and around the host cities it will be absolutely buzzing.

“Just for Ireland to say ‘we are here, we are on the stage, we are going to give it everything and we don’t plan on going anywhere’….I think it is just a dream opening game and then the rest of the group is really exciting and challenging. I just think it will be an unbelievable summer no matter what.”

In addition to Australia, the Republic of Ireland will also take on Olympic Gold Medalists Canada and African nation Nigeria at the FIFA Women’s World Cup Australia and New Zealand 2023.

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