Heather Payne: ‘I will definitely be back, you can’t be missing a World Cup play-off!’

Heather Payne in action against Finland

Heather Payne in action against Finland Credit: None

It can be a lonely furrow that the centre forward needs to plough in the modern game and in Heather Payne Ireland manager Vera Pauw has a player who knows what is required.

Payne has just the one international goal from her 28 international caps but her endless energy, intensity of press and hold up play has meant that she has made the centre forward position her own in this World Cup qualifying campaign – one that is on the brink of qualification glory.

Looking at the StatsSports data from the qualifiers prior to last week’s match against Finland in Tallaght, the Florida State University striker ran the most metres against Slovakia at home (10.9km) and Finland away (11.4km); in four of the qualifiers she was the top of the charts for metres of high speed running and for maximum speed and in three qualifiers she had the most metres of high intensity running.

The most important stat for Ireland from last Thursday night was the goal tally – one to the Republic of Ireland and none to Finland. Substitute Lily Agg’s goal secured Ireland the coveted play-off spot, going one step further than their last qualifying campaign when a defeat in Ukraine saw them fall short of the play-offs and prevented them qualifying for the European Championship in England.

Payne was one of a number of players who spoke about using the defeat in Ukraine as a springboard to success in this qualifying campaign.

“Before the game, we knew we were a different team to the one that played in Ukraine,” said the 22-year-old striker. “We’re a lot more mature, we have come on loads. We knew that we weren’t going to bottle it as such this time. 

“In game management, we have come on in leaps and bounds, even compared to that Ukraine game. That’s really good for the team. I knew we are a lot better than we were and, with each game, we are getting better.

“Our goal was always to take it step by step. After everything we were like ‘okay, lets make the play-offs’. We’ve made it now but we want to get a higher ranked spot. The World Cup is our goal.”

Finishing runners up behind table toppers Sweden – with Ireland the only team to take points off the Olympic silver medallists – shows how good the qualifying campaign has been for the Girls in Green but they needed to step it up in the second half against Finland. Scoreless at the break, Ireland knew they needed to find a goal to get the win to cement that second place in the group.

“We knew we had to push on in the second half, it was a bit of a slow start in the first half and we defended a lot. We got the goal and went on from there. It was an historic night, not only with the crowd (a record for an Ireland home international), but getting to a first (World Cup) play-off. 



“We’re absolutely delighted. The crowd added momentum and it’s great to hear them cheer us on out there. When we scored, we could hear the whole off Tallaght lift up.”

The former Peamount United forward has poured over the complicated play-off route and reckons she has it figured out. Results over the weekend meant that Ireland now know if they win in Slovakia on Tuesday (kick off 5pm Irish time), they will bypass the play-off semi-final and go directly into a single-legged play-off final on October 11.

Payne won’t be missing that game due to her studies in America. “I will definitely be back, you can’t be missing a World Cup play-off!”

Payne and her teammates flew to Slovakia on Sunday afternoon and the focus is a win in the final group match. “I think the Slovakia game is still crucial. We need to get three points there so we can get a higher ranking and get a better play-off and be in a better position. It’s great that we have a play-off spot secured no matter what.

“We know Slovakia are a good side. They drew with Finland and we drew with them (1-1 in Tallaght last November). We know it’s going to be another tough battle on Tuesday. They’ve got nothing to lose. I know they can’t qualify, but sure why can’t they just come out and give it their all as well?”



On Friday the draw will take place for the play-offs and with an open draw Ireland will be hoping they are drawn out first to secure a home game.

“It would be great (to get a home draw),” said the Galwegian. “The crowd drive us on with every set-piece and every time we get the ball in the net you can hear them roar. It would be absolutely brilliant if it was here at home. It’s obviously an advantage so it would be nice.”

About Macdara Ferris

Macdara Ferris is a contributor since 2007 to Hoops Scene (Shamrock Rovers' match day programme) and is the co-author of two books on Shamrock Rovers - 'Tallaght Time: Shamrock Rovers 2009 to 2012' (with Karl … View Full Profile