Aine O'Gorman soaking up World Cup dream after long Irish journey

Aine O'Gorman isn't quite ready to walk off into the sunset, but the veteran Republic of Ireland defender admits she'll have to think about her international future after her World Cup dream is over.

O'Gorman started against Scotland in the famous play-off victory that earned them a ticket to the tournament for the first time, but the Shamrock Rovers 34-year-old is currently behind Heather Payne in the pecking order after Vera Pauw redeployed the Roscommon forward as a wing-back.

Nonetheless, O'Gorman is an important figure of experience behind the scenes.

She beamed with pride when Amhrán na bhFiann was played at the Accor Stadium in Sydney before last Thursday's clash with Australia, taking in the sight and sound of over 75,000 fans.

O'Gorman made her debut 17 years ago in the low-key Algarve Cup. It's been some journey.

"We came out of the tunnel earlier and then there was the 'Ole, Ole, Ole', and I went around trying to stay composed," she reflected.

"Everybody was like, just take in the moment, and I turned around and said, 'something’ hell! Then the anthem played. I was beside Abbie [Larkin] and we just belted it out loud and proud.

"Yeah, it was special. All the Irish fans were amazing, louder than the Australian fans, which was great. It was a great moment. Obviously I would like to have gotten on the pitch and we would have liked to have gotten a result on the night, but lots to take out of that evening and we'll move into the next game."

The next game is a showdown with reigning champions Canada in Perth. If Ireland lose they'll be going home after the group stages; win and they have every chance of extending their World Cup adventure into the knockout stages.

O'Gorman has faith the Girls in Green can pull it off,