Amber Barrett: ‘The last six months have been really difficult, so now getting back scoring again, it's such an unbelievable feeling’

Macdara Ferris reports from Tallaght Stadium

It has been a difficult time for Amber Barrett since scoring the goal that got Ireland to the World Cup. Injury, lack of form and the search for a new club have had to be dealt with, all the while having the worry about whether she will make the plane to Australia next month.

And so the two goals for Barrett in Tallaght Stadium in the 3-2 win over Zambia could prove so crucial to the Donegal women. She said after scoring her first that it felt “like the weight of the world came off my shoulders when the ball went into the net.”

That was her first goal since she slotted home the winner in Hampden Park to put Scotland to the sword in the World Cup play-off.

“The last six months have been really difficult, so now getting back scoring again and to score in Tallaght in front of that crowd, I cannot describe it. It's such an unbelievable feeling. To score for Ireland is the best thing you can ever do.”

Support

There was close to 6,000 in the crowd but again pockets of empty seats were a disappointment for a ‘sold out’ game. However, Barrett praised the support the Girls in Green received.

“Every single one of them, we heard them for the full 90 minutes. Even when Courtney (Brosnan) is making a save, the roar is nearly as loud as when we score. That's the support we want.”

The goals give her one foot on the flight to the southern hemisphere but nothing is guaranteed. “Believe me, as much as it was good for me to play and to score, it doesn't guarantee anything. There's still a few days to go, we still have a couple of training sessions left.”

Vera Pauw had asked her players to show no fear at half time after a stuttering first period and Barrett did exactly that when seeking out the ball to take the penalty just four minutes after she came onto the pitch at the start of the second half with Ireland trailing.

“Going in at halftime 1-0 down we really had to reset and get ourselves back into the game. It was great to score two goals, but more importantly we got ourselves over the line against a really tough Zambia team.

Penalty

“As a striker, you want to get on the ball straight away and get that chance to get in front of goal. When the penalty went, me and Megan (Connolly) had a wee look. When Katie (McCabe) isn't there, it would usually be Megan that would take it.

"She gave me a little smile and I took that as 'thank you very much'. To be honest, I haven't scored a goal since Scotland. I'm glad we can leave that one behind and talk about something else.”

The match was ideal preparation for taking on Nigeria in the World Cup and Barrett was full of praise for the Zambian side who will debut in this World Cup having finished third in last year’s African Cup of Nations.

“They have some really top class players in there and made it difficult for us. I've never played a team so physical, so athletic, it was 90 minutes of go, go, go.

“When they go to the World Cup they're going to be a very difficult nation to break down for whoever plays them. It also give us the right test going into Nigeria. We probably are a wee bit technically better, but still it will provide that physical test that we are now relishing.” 

‘Horrible’ decision on World Cup squad selection awaits Vera Pauw https://t.co/GNl2hKzgb6pic.twitter.com/XLaof0ihCm

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