Courage captaincy has Denise O'Sullivan more focused and more serious than ever

But it is not a burden to me, it is something that I relish and pushes me on to even be better in the team.”

FOCUSED: Denise O'Sullivan during a Republic of Ireland women training session at the FAI National Training Centre in Abbotstown, Dublin. Photo by Stephen McCarthy/Sportsfile

The nature of the American league, in which she has starred in for the past seven years, has meant that Denise O’Sullivan’s last competitive fixture was actually for the Republic of Ireland almost a month ago.

North Carolina Courage’s 2-0 loss to Gotham back on October 23rd brought a pre-mature end to O’Sullivan’s season at club level just before she joined up with the Girls in Green for their victorious double-header against Albania.