Niamh Fahey relishing surreal moment with World Cup dream still alive

Being within touching distance of qualifying for a first-ever World Cup is all still sinking in for Republic of Ireland defender Niamh Fahey, whose side's success in finishing second in their group earned them a bye into the second round of October's UEFA qualification play-offs.

"It's hugely exciting," she told the PA news agency. "It's been a brilliant campaign for us. I think we've done extremely well throughout to get the results that we have and put us in this position.

"One game away from a World Cup. It's kind of surreal at times, because you always think, to put yourself in this position a couple of months ago, a year ago, thinking that's a really difficult task.

"But now we're actually here, we've got to almost the end of the line. It's a big moment. I can't wait."

Despite their performance in qualifying, Fahey and her Ireland team-mates could be seen as potential underdogs on 11 October, when they will face the winner of Scotland versus Austria in a bid to book their tickets to Australia and New Zealand next year.

Ireland are ranked world number 26, while the Austrians and Scots sit in 20th and 23rd places respectively. In either scenario, the Girls in Green will be the visitors.

Switzerland and Iceland await opponents in the other round-two clashes, with the top two play-off winners based on group stage and play-off results immediately sealing a World Cup berth, and the third advancing to an inter-confederation play-off in February.

Fahey, the youngest of eight, was born into a family of athletes. Brother Gary captained Galway to the 2001 All-Ireland SFC, sharing the trophy with brother Richie. Fahey herself played the sport, winning the Ladies' All-Ireland in 2004.

But the now-Liverpool captain, who has earned 104