Claire O’Riordan ‘thrilled’ with her contribution in Zambia win as final World Cup squad selection comes closer

Claire O'Riordan celebrating her goal against Zambia with Ireland captain Louise Quinn and Amber Barrett

Claire O'Riordan celebrating her goal against Zambia with Ireland captain Louise Quinn and Amber Barrett Credit: Eddie Lennon (ETPhotos)

Macdara Ferris reports from Tallaght Stadium

Next week Vera Pauw will name her World Cup squad and so last night’s friendly over Zambia was the last match day opportunity for players to place their name firmly in Pauw’s mind for the tournament.

The extended squad needs to be cut down just to 23 players and Claire O’Riordan went a long way in Tallaght on Thursday to make that selection.

She popped up with a header off what she called a “peach of ball in from Megan (Connolly)” to score Ireland’s second goal in the 3-2 win to give a timely reminder to Pauw about her scoring threat.

Having started her career as a striker with Wexford Youths, where she won three League of Ireland titles, her time since then has been in defence with MSV Duisburg in Germany and currently with Celtic – she scored in last month’s Scottish Cup Final win over Rangers.

“I had a magnificent time with Wexford Youths as a striker and I hold them very close to my heart,” said O’Riordan after the win in Tallaght. “I am confident when I go for set pieces that I can be that danger with my head.

“I recognise in recent years that it is a strength of mine and towards the end of my time with MSV Duisburg I popped up with a few goals and I was able to bring that into Celtic. I made the coaches aware that I can be a little bit of a problem (for the opposition). I can get on a few of the crosses coming in.

“I'm thrilled to be able to contribute tonight but ultimately it is all about the team performance and the work that every single player put into that game was magnificent. We worked, stuck together and ground it out till the very end.”

O'Riordan played in Ireland's back three on the left of Louise Quinn and Niamh Fahey.



The Girls in Green struggled towards the end of the game having made five substitutions at half-time and the last one on 64 minutes with O’Riordan ending up being pushed up top late on as she was dealing with cramp.

“Coming to the end of the game I wasn't the only one who was suffering with a few cramps. I did not want to leave the team down to ten players so I thought it was a great decision to put me up top.

"Ultimately at least we had another player on the pitch. I'm grateful that I was part of the starting XI and I could see out the game.” 

The players have the weekend off before returning to training in UCD on Monday and extratime.com asked her how she was going to spend her short break away from the squad.

“I'm going to be going home with my family now back to Limerick and Newcastle West,” said the 28 year old. “I'm going to spend some time with them as I haven't seen them in quite a while.

“I'm going to enjoy the time with them and my feet are firmly on the ground so whatever comes in the next few days (with squad selection) I'm prepared for.“



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