Former USA World Cup winner Heather O'Reilly has said the FAI have a golden chance to nurture women's football in Ireland - and warned it's an opportunity they must use wisely.O'Reilly came off the bench to help Shelbourne beat Athlone Town 2-0 in the EVOKE.ie FAI Cup final on Sunday afternoon, capping a short but fruitful period at the Reds.The American made a shock move to Shels back in July when she came out of retirement to fulfil a career-long ambition of playing in the Champions League.
She realised that dream with Noel King's team, scoring a memorable winner against Slovenia's ZNK Pomurje.However once the European journey was ended by Icelandic outfit Valur, O'Reilly headed back to the States due to work and family commitments.Last week she pulled on the red shirt again to help Shels get over the line in the league and the cup, and O'Reilly said she witnessed enough during her brief stay to recognise women's football is in an exciting place in Ireland."My takeaways are that the players here understand the game," she said."They are really technical players.
I was impressed with the composure on the ball and the willingness to be brave and to keep the ball. I think I had in mind a little bit more of muddy, sloppy pitches, and a really physical game."But I came over and everyone was really passing it around.
So I think the potential is huge for Ireland to have a really high-quality league and a high-quality national team."For me to be in a non-paying environment, where people have jobs and they practice at night, that's all new to me.