Pauw 'so proud' of O'Riordan after impressive display against Zambia

“Claire has come from so far. She had a major injury this season. Came back and was first not in the core group and as a result of her last two games, we brought her in because she just convinced us that she had to be part of it and look what she’s done today,” Vera Pauw said when speaking to RTÉ in the aftermath of the game.

FIRST INTERNATIONAL GOAL: Claire O'Riordan got her first international goal and Irelands second in the second half against Zambia. Pic: Stephen McCarthy/Sportsfile

Republic of Ireland women’s national team manager Vera Pauw heaped praise on Claire O’Riordan after the Limerick native bolstered her World Cup prospects with an impressive display against Zambia at Tallaght Stadium last night.

A native of Newcastle West, O’Riordan recently found the net for Celtic in a 2-0 victory over Rangers in the Scottish Women’s Cup final at Hampden Park. She was also amongst the goals in the Dublin venue last night as she powerfully headed home a free-kick delivery by Cork’s Megan Connolly on 63 minutes to move Ireland into a 2-1 lead.