Áine O’Gorman: ‘Eileen Gleeson is a top manager. We saw how Ireland are trying to play football and be comfortable in possession’

Macdara Ferris reports from Tallaght Stadium

Having recently retired from international duty following her role with Ireland at the World Cup in Australia, Shamrock Rovers captain Áine O’Gorman was in the Aviva Stadium last month as a spectator to see the Republic of Ireland’s 3-0 win over Northern Ireland.

The game was Ireland’s first senior women’s international at the national stadium, was played out in front of a record breaking crowd for a senior women’s game in this country and was Eileen Gleeson’s first in interim charge of the girls in green

What caught O’Gorman’s eye was the style of football on display and with Gleeson confirmed last week as being in charge of the rest of the UEFA Nations League campaign, the Rovers captain reckons Ireland are in very good hands.

“I know Eileen really well,” said O’Gorman about the manager she played under previously at both Peamount United and UCD Waves. “She is a top manager, very meticulous in her job and she is surrounded by really good people.

“We saw in the performances (against Northern Ireland and in the 4-0 away win in Hungary) how they are trying to play football, be comfortable in possession and ruthless in front of goal.

“The Aviva was amazing and just shows how the game is growing and where it has got to. It was a great moment and something that women's football in Ireland deserves.

“It makes us really happy when you grow up playing as a young girl to see the amount of girls there now or even here in Tallaght Stadium supporting us.”

O’Gorman was speaking pitchside on Saturday after her club side defeated Shelbourne 3-1 in the league – a game watched on from the stands by Eileen Gleeson. The league match was a dress rehearsal for this weekend’s FAI Cup semi-final clash between the same sides.

The Hoops skipper provided the assist for Rovers’ opening goal scored by player-of-the-match Scarlett Herron before O’Gorman scored the second of the game.

“Scarlett struck it well after finding a nice bit of space at the edge of the box,” said O’Gorman about the goal from the 18-year-old midfielder who signed from Athlone Town during the summer. “She has a good engine and grafted in midfield and is a great addtion to the team.”

O’Gorman’s goal came from her deep shot / cross from wide right that deceived Shels goalkeeper Amanda McQuillan.

“I'll take it when it goes in,” said O’Gorman with a smile when speaking about scoring her ninth goal of the season – to go with her ten league assist. “I put it into a good area and it managed to go into the net.”

Having scored in the 14^th and 22^nd minute, the Hoops effectively wrapped up the win with Alannah McEvoy’s goal five minutes from the half time whistle.

“It took us a while to settle into the game and it was good to get the early goals and the third goal probably sums up the type of football were trying to play.

“We are dissapointed with the way we conceded the goal (in second half injury time). We probably slacked off a little bit but the defence and Amanda (Budden) in goal showed great determination with last ditch tackles and that is part of the game too. Amanda was really alert.”

Next up this weekend the Hoops will take on Shels again who are last year’s double winners. Up for grabs is a place in the FAI Women’s Cup final next month also at Tallaght Stadium.

“It is a trophy that both teams want to win and we are expecting a different game next weekend.”

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— Extratime.com (@ExtratimeNews) October 9, 2023