Megan Connolly: 'I’ll be thinking of everyone who fought to get us here'

Connolly has previously beaten Chelsea and Australia teams with Kerr in them and there’s a strong likelihood Vera Pauw will assign her within the five-player rearguard to repel the Matildas captain.

7 July 2023; Megan Connolly at Dublin Airport ahead of the Republic of Ireland's flight to Australia for the FIFA Women's World Cup 2023. Pic: Stephen McCarthy/Sportsfile

When the family collectively absorbed the latest tributary in Megan Connolly's career, her father Mick recalled his daughter's familiar gesture for perspective.

“Megan just points to that tattoo on her arm that states everything happens for a reason.”