Claire O'Riordan retreats to Newcastle West after staking her claim

Claire O'Riordan will return to her home town of Newcastle West, Co Limerick this weekend to switch off from all World Cup selection talk after staking her claim for inclusion with an all-action display against Zambia on Thursday night.

O'Riordan enjoyed a strong end to the club season with Celtic, starring in their Scottish Cup final win against Rangers.

She was handed a start against the Zambians and seized her opportunity, defending impressively throughout and popping up with a great header in Ireland's 3-2 victory.

And now, she plays the waiting game.

Pauw will reveal her 23-player squad [plus three back-up players] for the tournament next Thursday.

O'Riordan, like everyone else in the camp, is desperate to make the plane, but it's beyond her control now with Pauw and her back-rooom team burning the midnight oil as they settle on a final selection.

"I can't tell you what I'm going to be thinking over the next couple of days but I do know I'm going to be going home with my family now, back to Limerick and Newcastle West, and I'm going to spend some time with them as I haven't seen them in quite a while," said O'Riordan.

"I'm going to enjoy the time with them and my feet are firmly on the ground. Whatever comes in the next few days I'm prepared for.

"It is all about waiting and seeing what will happen. We have been here for the last couple of weeks training and putting in the work to get ourselves ready. I'm grateful that I was part of the starting XI and I saw out the game, even if I had a few cramps."

Claire O'Riordan scored her first international goal for Ireland in a 3-2 victory over Tallaght Stadium and she hopes that her display is enough to earn her a place in Vera Pauw's World Cup squad. #RTEsoccer