O'Sullivan enjoying football in Glasgow

Former Cork City Women’s star Denise O’Sullivan left home at the age of just 18 with the opportunities to test herself against some of Europe’s best players in the UEFA Women’s Champions League. After joining Glasgow City FC in July of 2013, the Irish international made an instant impact for her new club, scoring on her debut in a 2-0 victory of rivals Rangers.

When the opportunity to move abroad came about at such a young age, O’Sullivan knew that leaving home would be difficult and she would be forced adapt while facing many different challenges.

“Of course it was difficult,” O’Sullivan told Extratime.ie. “I was playing with all my friends had my family around me could go home after training at night and have my family there and dinner on the table but it was a big change for me and I adapted well.”

One of the biggest challenges that faced Denise when moving to Scotland was adapting to the standard of football and the forward explains that compared to Ireland’s Women’s National League, there was a much higher intensity in the Scottish league.

“For me the sessions are more intense, you get worked really hard in training. While the majority of the games are more physical and faster.”

In just two seasons with Glasgow, the Irish International has acquired a large haul of silverware and in 2014 after collecting a league treble, she was also rewarded for her performances on the pitch by both her peers and supporters.

“I won the 4 awards, Players’ Player of the Year, Coaches Player of the Year, Fans Player of the Year for club and overall Players’ Player of the Year for the league. I was shocked I won them all, it was such an amazing feeling to win the awards. Especially to be recognised by my own teammates, but without their help on the pitch beside me I wouldn't have got them. There's no I in team.”

Having first experience Champions League football in 2011, when lining out for Dublin side Peamount United, O’Sullivan has some fond memories of the competition, but one highlight that stands out for the Cork native was last season’s epic encounter with Zurich.

“My favourite moment was qualifying for the quarter-finals against Zurich. It was at home, we got beat 2-1 in Zurich and we beat them on our home turf 4-2 to progress. It was the most exciting game of my footballing career.”

At twenty-one many people could only have dreamed of an international career like Denise’s, an appearance in a under 17s World Cup and over 35 senior International caps - however, O’Sullivan is not content with her progress as she still has many goals which she is determined to succeed.

“My international career has been good so far, but not good enough yet. I want to win more, I want to qualify for a major tournament with seniors and keep my foot in the starting lineup.”

As Ireland prepares for the upcoming European Qualifying campaign, which begins at home against Finland next month - Denise is aware that her side made progress in the previous World Cup qualifying campaign despite not advancing and they will be aiming to ensure that Ireland are on the plane to France in 2017.

“We did well last year, but we didn't qualify and that was the aim for us. I think we have a good chance this year if we play to the best of our ability and score goals more.”