Clare Shine: I had no control over my addictions

Republic of Ireland international Clare Shine says she has never been happier after battling with drink and drug addictions that led to attempts to take her own life.

The 27-year-old, who earlier this week signed a one-year contract extension at Glasgow City, keeping her there until the summer of 2023, has charted her struggles and recovery in her recently released book, Scoring Goals in the Dark.

The Under-19 International Player of the Year was a gifted all-round sportsperson from an early age before deciding to concentrate on soccer with the ultimate aim to pull on the green jersey of Ireland.

From the outside, she looked like a confident young sportswoman rocketing towards the top of her profession, but in reality things were beginning to unravel.

Speaking on RTÉ's The Ryan Tubridy Show, Shine said that one game in the Netherlands, where she was injured and confined to the role of a supporter of her team-mates, was an example of her life spiralling out of control.

"It was a whirlwind in my life at that time," she said.

"I had no control over my decisions. My addiction really started to affect me.

To be watching the team that I was dying to be involved in, drinking a bottle of wine, you know there is definitely something wrong

"I just wanted to have a good time and it took complete control over me and I ended up turning up to the game under the influence. I don’t really have a lot of memory from that.

"I remember sitting in the stand trying to hide the fact I had a bottle of wine in my bag from my parents and supporters.

"To be watching the team that I was dying to be involved in, drinking a bottle of wine, you know there is definitely something wrong, but I didn’t care what people thought of me. I didn’t care about anything,