Stephanie Roche not giving up on Ireland return

Peamount United striker Stephanie Roche is hopeful that the door isn't closed on her international future as Vera Pauw’s squad was announced for the forthcoming World Cup qualifier with Sweden.

Roche made her Republic of Ireland debut in 2008 and last appeared in the green jersey in 2019, but she has been involved in recent sessions at Abbotstown for home-based players.

"I’ve been on standby for about a year and a half now so I don’t know," was Roche’s response on 2FM’s Game On when asked did she think she was catching Pauw’s eye.

"I’ve always kind of been that player, I've always tried to remain professional. Disappointing to take (not being involved) but obviously you always have to persevere.

"Something that I always say to young players even who I'm playing with now at Peamount is that there might be times when you don’t get your call-up but you got to prove people wrong, keep doing the right things,

"Even now at 32 I’ll continue to do that until I get my opportunity.

"We’ve had a very good start to the season with Peamount so my kind of focus is on Peamount and making sure that we continue to do well, and hopefully along with Peamount doing well I can continue to do well.

"It’s about persevering and keeping at it, that’s all you can do at the end of the day."

One player who is included in Pauw’s squad is 16-year-old Shelbourne player Abbie Larkin.

Roche, a 2014 FIFA Puskas Award runner-up, has trained with the youngster at Abbotstown and feels that she could have a top career in the game.

"Obviously Abbie is a very good, young talented player.

"I don’t think she’s played too much for Shelbourne this year but she obviously showed at the last camp that she was in that she has ability.

"We’ve been at the home-based sessions