Stephanie Roche: ‘These are the type of games we have to win’

One day short of the first year anniversary of their last competitive game, Ireland’s women’s team open the World Cup qualification quest tonight against neighbours Northern Ireland at Mourneview Park in Lurgan (7.30pm).

Plenty has happened within the Irish camp since, with a new manager and captain appointed but, more significantly, parity of standards with the male equivalents achieved after a dispute with the FAI went public in April.

Stephanie Roche has been a constant presence throughout.