Veteran keeper Emma Byrne looks to inflict pain on Spain
Sue Ronan’s side are immersed in a three-way tussle with Finland and Portugal for second spot in Group Two behind the rampant Spaniards ahead of today’s meeting in Madrid (5pm, Irish time).
At the midway point of the campaign, anything gained from the top seeds would go a long way towards qualification. A runners-up finish in September would likely be sufficient to clinch a spot at next year’s expanded 16-nation finals in Holland.
Only goal difference separates Ireland and second-placed Finland following their 5-0 demolition of Montenegro on Thursday, a game Ronan restricted recently-crowned player of the year Denise O’Sullivan to a late substitute’s role in preparation for tomorrow’s sterner test.
While the talented O’Sullivan has several campaigns ahead of her, Byrne is running out of time to complement her glittering club CV with international stardom.
Now 20 years as Ireland’s first-choice stopper, the Arsenal stopper has yet to grace a major tournament and this may be her best ever opportunity, given the accessible route created by Uefa’s change of format.
The 36-year-old has won every trophy with the Gunners, including the Champions League, yet representing her country on the highest stage remains the missing objective.
She feels this is the ideal time to be facing a Spanish side aiming for their sixth straight victory of the campaign.
“Spain are number one seeds and a really good team, but there is no reason why we can’t go out and beat them if we perform like we can,” declared a confident Byrne. “They’ve not been at their best lately, have a new manager and a lot of young players.
“There is a good feeling in our camp. Confidence has grown, especially since the win in Montenegro, so it’s a good time for us to play Spain in Spain. I think that way because I know our team always seem to play better away from home.”
Ronan has been dealt a blow by the unavailability of defender Sophie Perry. The Brighton right-back has returned to England due to work commitments, while Shelbourne goalkeeper Niamh Reid-Burke is also absent due to an ankle injury.
O’Sullivan, recently headhunted by American professional outfit Houston Dash, is expected to return to the starting line-up along with Stephanie Roche, who spent a short spell Stateside last year with the same club before joining Sunderland.
E Byrne (Arsenal); A O’Gorman (UCD Waves), L Quinn (Eskilstuna Utd), N Fahey (Chelsea), K Duggan (UCD Waves); D Caldwell (Koln), R Littlejohn (Glasgow City); K McCabe (Arsenal), D O’Sullivan (Houston Dash), JA Russell (UCD Waves); S Roche (Sunderland).
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