Julie-Ann Russell leading the charge for amateurs in Ireland

LEADING LIGHT: Julie-Ann Russell on international duty. Pic: ©INPHO/Morgan Treacy

It helps the only amateur starter in the Ireland squad to embrace a professional regime.

Julie-Ann Russell proved domestic talent can cut it at international level when resuming her career in a green jersey in July.

She validated it by scoring in the concluding Euro qualifiers against England and France.

Debate is rife about the readiness of national league players for international elevation – Ireland boss Eileen Gleeson last week reminding advocates of its amateur status – but Galway girl Russell is the exception.

Cork City’s Eva Mangan has been part of the squad without seeing a minute of gametime, likewise teenage goalkeeper Katie Keane, but such is Russell’s revival that she’s deemed a shoo-in to be in the line-up for Friday’s playoff semi-final first leg in Georgia (KO 5pm, Irish time).

If, as expected, Ireland swat aside the minnow of women’s football over a two-legged tie which concludes at Tallaght next Tuesday, then nudge out either Wales or Slovakia in the final, Russell will be heading to next year’s Euros in Switzerland as a 34-year-old.

That would be a second coming for the ages of a player who put her career on hold to start a family with husband Ciaran.

Baby Rosie has made cameos in camp and on the Pairc Uí Chaoímh pitch after her mother’s goal aided Ireland’s mammoth 3-1 victory over France in July.

“I love fitness, moving and being outdoors,” said Russell, whose drought between her 60th and 61st cap against England in the summer was almost four years.

“That’s what my body was telling me to do. I went back training and felt good so I thought I’d give it another whack with Galway United. And the rest is history..

“I knew it was in me and I’ve probably been the fittest and strongest I’ve ever been.

“You need to be training like a pro and looking after yourself to make the Ireland squad. I look after myself like I’m a professional.

“I train twice a day – Crossfit in Moycullen and evenings with Galway. I’m super into my nutrition and I’m trying to get as much sleep as I can with Rosie.

“You need to have that mindset as well. I don’t think everyone in the league might be able to get to that standard, but I think the clubs are progressing.

“There still is that gap, don’t get me wrong, and you need to be living like a pro to get there. So it is there for some people, but for other people, not.”

Meanwhile Ireland endured a frustrating 0-0 draw with a resilient Georgia side in their opening game of the UEFA Regions Cup qualifiers.