Claire O'Riordan: A goal scored in Germany but made in Newcastle West

Claire O’Riordan during a Republic of Ireland WNT training session at Johnstown House in Enfield, Meath. Picture: Seb Daly/Sportsfile

Football action was limited during lockdown, but Claire O’Riordan reckons one of the few allowable exercises contributed to her MSV Duisburg side make a winning start on their Bundesliga return.

Nina Lange’s early opener in Saturday’s 2-0 triumph over Bayer Leverkusen set up a first league victory since October, lifting the Irishwoman’s side five points above the relegation zone with six games left.