Ciara Grant: Everyone who spent time on the journey is so proud of these brilliant women

The Ireland centurion was part of the long journey to the big time for the Girls in Green and she can't wait to see how the team perform.

NEARLY WOMEN; The Republic of Ireland team who played Iceland in the Euro 2009 Championship Play-Offs, 2nd Leg in Laugardalsvöllur Stadium, Reykjavik
Back row (L-R): Ciara Grant, Jemma O'Connor, Stefanie Curtis, Mary Therese McDonnell, Emma Byrne, Yvonne Tracy, Niamh Fahey.
Front row (L-R): Aine O'Gorman, Alisha Moran, Meabh de Burca, Michele O'Brien

Until recently, people would ask if I’d like to be playing football these days, now so much has improved for female players, and I’d tell them ‘not really’. I had my time, I enjoyed my career and wouldn’t change anything. But when I see the Ireland girls out there at the World Cup, I can admit I’d dearly love to be 10 years younger. Ok, maybe 15.

I must admit I don’t get much time to watch football these days. Two young kids, who appear to own the television, dictate that. But whenever I do, I’m so impressed with the level. In our time, you would regularly hear people say, ‘I can’t watch women’s football, the standard is this or that’. There are no excuses now. These women are brilliant.