Eimear Ryan: Next summer's women's World Cup will be extraordinary

Progress in women's sport has been so glacial over the decades, but so rapid in the last few years, that you can almost feel the ground shifting beneath your feet in real time

HISTORIC: Denise O'Sullivan of Republic of Ireland celebrates after the FIFA Women's World Cup 2023 Play-off match between Scotland and Republic of Ireland at Hampden Park in Glasgow, Scotland. Pic: Stephen McCarthy/Sportsfile

In my mind, I’m still constantly replaying that Amber Barrett goal. If, in function, it was like Alan McLoughlin’s equaliser against Northern Ireland in 1993 – the golden goal that secured qualification – in form it was more like Shane Long’s winner against Germany in October 2015: breaking onto the long ball, a squadron of defenders chasing, a near-perfect first touch and an audacious finish to the corner.

The aftermath was similar, too: a dogged, seemingly never-ending 20-minute spell as the opposition bombarded the Irish goal. Darren Randolph held solid seven years ago and so, on Tuesday night, did the formidable Courtney Brosnan. Bedlam. Scenes. History in the making.