Busy Rowe plans to make room in schedule for boyfriend at Croker

Ireland U19 women’s attacker Sarah Rowe plans to repay the support of her boyfriend Aidan O’Shea at the Euro finals by cheering him on at Croke Park soon.

The Mayo GAA star took a break from his hectic summer schedule to visit Oslo on Tuesday for Ireland’s heroic 1-0 victory over Spain in their opener.

His girlfriend was integral to the Irish display and result that puts them within touching distance of a spot in next week’s semi-finals. Victory over England tomorrow night in Mjondalen and Dave Connell’s side need not worry about Monday’s final Group B tie against Sweden.

Speaking yesterday in the aftermath of such a historic win, Rowe hailed the backing she has received from O’Shea and her family in her pursuit of European glory.

“Aidan had a slight injury so James Horan allowed him to travel out to Norway for our game,” explained the 18-year-old Ballina native.

“It was great to have him there and he knows how much playing for Ireland means to me.”

Rowe is a lady of many talents. An accomplished GAA player for the Mayo ladies, she’s had to park that code for the championship campaign so far to concentrate on soccer. There also been the important commitment of undertaking her Leaving Cert exams this summer, a task she warmed to despite duties with the Ireland U19s and senior squad in April.

Any breaks in between are described as ‘pockets’, and usually devoted to family and friends.

“I’ve not even had time to watch any of Aidan’s championship matches with Mayo,” she said. “For example, the Ireland squad was together for 10 days last month, then had two days off before assembling again for the Euros. Aidan came up to Dublin for our friendly against Norway last month, so I got to see him afterwards. There’s been not much time outside of that but I intend getting to the All-Ireland quarter-final in August.”