Julie-Ann Russell on her ‘whirlwind’ of a return to international football: ‘I’m relishing every moment of it’

Macdara Ferris reports from Tallaght Stadium

As expected the Republic of Ireland cruised into the play-off final after defeating Georgia in Tallaght Stadium 3-0 (6-0 on aggregate) in front of what was a record crowd for a women’s international at the venue.

The Girls in Green will face Wales who progressed past Slovakia to make the two legged play-off final with the prize of a trip to the European Championship on offer to the winner.

Julie-Ann Russell opened the scoring on the night for Ireland and extratime.com asked the Galwaywoman afterwards about the playing in front of the record Tallaght crowd with the play-off second leg to come in the Aviva Stadium.

“There is such an interest in women's football which is phenomenal,” said Russell. “It is great to be a part of it. It is such a good atmosphere here in Tallaght today and to get such a big crowd on a Tuesday evening (of 8,745).

“Wales are a quality team. They have a lot of players in the WSL and so a lot of the girls here would be playing against them so they will know their strengths and weaknesses. I have full faith in Eileen (Gleeson) and the staff to have the tactics for us ready to follow through on.” 

Her manager described the opportunity to take on Wales in the Aviva as “incredible” and how her team will benefit from being seeded in the final.

Gleeson said: “It's super exciting. It was so important to be seeded and to have that home game (in the second leg).What a night that will be. To finish off and qualify in the Aviva would be amazing."

Reflecting on the Georgia game, Russell admitted that Ireland lacked cutting edge in front of goal saying “we should have got a good few more in the first half but a win is a win and we will now be all focus on Wales.

“It was a difficult game (against Georgia),” said Russell who with the League of Ireland season over will train with the boys team at Salthill Devon now to keep up her fitness.

“Georgia were very very deep and that isn't something we are used to playing against in the last couple of games against France and England - they wouldn't be sitting that deep. I don't think Wales will be like that.”

In those recent games against France and England, Russell of course got on the scoresheet on her return to the international game since the birth of her daughter Rosie, who was in Russell’s arms when she spoke to the media after the match. 

Grabbing another goal on Tuesday along with the player of the match award, Russell admitted that her return to the international game has “been a total whirlwind. I’m enjoying and relishing every moment of it.

"I'm delighted to get the first goal and that settled us into the first half. It was special to have my friends and family here with Rosie as well. 

“We didn't have her in Georgia and we missed her. Herself and my husband Kieran came up and met us on Saturday and she was a joy for everyone to have here. Everyone loves her.”

The end of the press conference can sometimes be cut short by a media officer who is keen to move the player along but on this occasion Rosie begins to get unsettled so things are wrapped up with smiles all round when Russell says that it is way past bedtime for her daughter.