'The stuff you dream of' - Quinn left in ecstatic shock

The elation of scoring in front of almost 36,000 fans at the Aviva Stadium sent Lucy Quinn into a trance.

The attacking midfielder drilled home a crisp volley to break the deadlock against Northern Ireland in Saturday's historic clash at the Lansdowne Road venue.

It was a joyous moment for Quinn, and indeed for the majority of a colourful and noisy crowd.

Not that the 29-year-old can remember too much of it. As soon as the bal hit the net, the Birmingham City player went into a state of ecstatic shock.

"To see it hit the back of the net… you kind of black out a little bit," she said. "It was an unbelievable feeling and one that will never be topped in my career really.

"It was the stuff you dream of as a kid and you never really grow out of. Playing for your country in the Aviva, 36,000 fans, we wanted goals and we wanted to give a performance. The delight you feel, you can't compare it.

"It hasn't quite sunk in yet I don’t think, but what a day. Both my parents were here so it was super special.

"I kind of ran towards them [after the goal] but they're very small and cute so it’s difficult to point them out. I just wanted to thank them for all the sacrifices and everything they’ve done to put me in this position."

Interim boss Eileen Gleeson deployed Quinn in a more attacking role alongside Kyra Carusa.

It took time to gel; certainly for the first 20 minutes Ireland looked disjointed and laboured. But as the game wore on, and Northern Ireland tired, things began to click.

"It’s a little bit selfish as well at times," Quinn added when asked about the hosts' scrappy start to the game.

"You’re playing in a massive game, you want to get touches on the ball. My first touches I don’t think were overly great so it was just staying in the