Vera Pauw's Ireland return to action with daunting German test

Pauw and her players have been realistic but resolute this week whenever they have taken time out of their preparations in Duisburg to share their thoughts

Republic of Ireland players, including Leanne Kiernan, second from right, with assistant coach Eileen Gleeson, right, during a Republic of Ireland women's training session at Stadion Essen in Essen, Germany. Picture: Lukas Schulze/Sportsfile

Eileen Gleeson couldn't contain her excitement. The Republic of Ireland assistant manager was all packed and ready to fly out to Germany earlier this week when she rang her boss Vera Pauw and told her how it felt like Christmas.

It's been six months since their side last played, a 1-0 defeat of Greece in Tallaght leaving them top of Group I in the race for a place at what will now be the 2022 European Championship before the world pressed pause and faced up to a pandemic.