Áine O'Gorman is helping to settle the score for girls in sport

Áine O'Gorman is backing women playing soccer in Ireland and is passionate about tackling the drop-out rate of girls in sport, but it is not something she can personally relate to.

"I think I just love football so much and you know nothing's really going to get in my way," she said.

The seasoned Irish international is not one for giving up, having amassed over a century of caps, even making a return after initially retiring from national duty in 2018.

The Wicklow native has now hung up the national jersey for good and is fully focused on reviving the fortunes of recently returned Shamrock Rovers, and is enjoying some of the benefits of having one clear priority.

"Just to be able to focus on your club football. You probably enjoy the international breaks, the little breaks in season have probably helped [me] to get through the season," O'Gorman told RTÉ Sport.

Despite a significant recruitment drive following a nine-year absence from the women's senior game and a third place finish in 2023, the Hoops have struggled in the league this season and find themselves in sixth and some 19 points off current leaders Athlone Town.

"Obviously we're disappointed with how the season has gone - for all the work and preparation we put into the games early on, we didn't get the results we needed," explained O'Gorman.

"Out of the title run, lost on penalties to Galway in the All-Island Cup final and in extra-time against Shels in the semi-final of the FAI Cup shortly after."

Fortunes may be on the turn following their weekend result, a 3-3 draw with league leaders, putting a stop to hopes of the Midlanders of claiming the title on Sunday, and O'Gorman is hopeful for the club's prospects.

"I think there's a really good young group of players and I