Roche - I'm happy to be playing regular football

As the countdown to Ireland’s opening European Championship Qualifying game against Finland at Tallaght Stadium on Monday evening, at the FAI headquarters on Thursday afternoon Stephanie Roche spoke to the assembled media about the upcoming game and enjoying a run of games with Sunderland Ladies.

“I think we can't wait to get going it's been a long time coming obviously with the build up to the games and it seems like it's been a long time since we played against the USA and Haiti. We’re just looking forward to the game now.

“We done very well in the last campaign and a bit unlucky not to qualify so we just want to work hard and the first game is going to be the most important one. I think we play the way we can, we can get a result.”

After a turbulent few months, which saw Roche’s time at the Houston Dash the Ireland forward is happy to be playing regular football again with Sunderland who have enjoyed a brilliant first season in WSL 1

“Yeah, definitely” she said when asked if she is happy to be playing regular football. “I think it will definitely stand to me. I’m glad that I’ve got the opportunity with Sunderland to play a lot of football. I’m fit, sharp and ready to go so it’s definitely going to help me when I come and play for Ireland.”

With just two appearances in America for the Dash, Roche revealed one of the biggest challenges she faced when moving to Sunderland was not from critics who doubted her, but from herself as needed to prove she deserved to play at that level.

“I think obviously everything that happened in America it was a bit of a let down so I think the biggest challenge for me was proving to myself I was a good player and to get back playing. As I said I’ve been given the opportunity and given games so I think I’ve done that. I’m just looking forward to continuing to keep playing.

“I wouldn’t say it knocked [America] my confidence, because I said before, I thought I was doing well and I was told I was doing well, so it is something I had to just keep my head up and things like that happen in football - especially in America it’s like a business and I had to not take it to heart.

“Obviously it’s easier said than done at the time, but I was lucky Sunderland came in quiet quick and I didn’t really have too much time to dwell on it, so I just happy I’ve been given the opportunity.”

As competition within the squad continues to grow, Roche like every other player would like to start every game, however the forward is aware it may not always be possible and she must be ready when called upon by Sue Ronan.

“Every player wants to start and play every game, but we have a very good squad so I have to be understanding at times if I don’t start. I’m going to be ready to go whether I come on from the start or near the end of the game I’m going to be ready to go so I’ll just have to take my chance when I get it.”

Like many players within the Ireland squad, Roche has come through the Women’s National League and she feels the continued growth from the league will help the continued development of the National side.

“I think it shows by the amount of players that are in the squad that are playing in the National League that it's definitely improving, it’s something I’m happy to see because we all want the National League in Ireland to be good and have a good standard of players so it definitely does stand to the players when they come to play for Ireland.”

As the women’s football continues to develop, one key aspect for many has been the integration of Strength and Conditioning, Roche feels that is becoming a huge part of the women’s game.

“Strength and Conditioning is a big part of the game, a lot of the players aren’t just footballers, their athletes and that's something that we’ve been trying to improve for the last few years and obviously it doesn’t happen overnight so it’s going to take a little bit more time before we are at the top level. We are getting there a lot of the players try to look after themselves the best way they can and hopefully with the help of the FAI we’ll be able to get there.”