Mnáwesome - Pauw dedicates victory to women of Ireland

Republic of Ireland manager Vera Pauw dedicated her side's World Cup play-off triumph to the women of Ireland and revealed that match-winner Amber Barrett promised her a goal if she brought her off the bench.

Barrett’s crucial second-half strike gave Ireland a 1-0 victory away to Scotland and that was enough to secure their place at next summer’s World Cup in Australia and New Zealand.

Ireland’s success is all the more remarkable given the fact that it’s only five years ago that members of the squad threatened strike action over what they saw as years of under investment and neglect towards the squad.

The women’s game has gone from strength to strength since then and qualification for the World Cup marks a new high point, which Pauw believes will help the sport grow even more.

Speaking on Morning Ireland, she said: "It’s not only the game here, it’s for all women in Ireland. If you really want something and you put all your effort in it together as a group, then anything is possible.

"We said after our defeat in Ukraine two years ago; 'we will go the World Cup.’ ‘We have missed out here this will never happen again, we will go to the World Cup.’

"That determination came from players and staff and the FAI and everybody around us that has given the sacrifices, investment and support that we needed.

"But it’s those tigers on the pitch that have do it because the discipline they put in is unbelievable.

"Maybe Atletico Madrid can match it but I have never seen another team that’s been so disciplined in the gameplan that we set-up."

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