Ireland veteran Niamh Fahey had admitted she didn't think her World Cup dream would become a reality at one point.
The Galway native made her debut for Ireland in 2007 and has won over 100 caps for her country. However, this year's tournament in Australia and New Zealand will be her maiden tournament.
Thanks to Amber Barrett's winner in Scotland last year, Fahey and co can now look forward to pitting themselves against the best.
The Liverpool defender was included in Vera Pauw's World Cup squad announcement this week, and at the age of 35, the chance to play at a first World Cup has been described as 'surreal' by the Galwegian.
"We have been on a massive journey to get to this point. I didn't know if it was ever going to come for me personally, but for me, I am so, so happy that it's actually happening," said the Ireland centurion. "It feels a bit surreal, and I'm going to have to get my head screwed back on because I've a job to do as well."
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๐ฃ๏ธ 'I didn't know if it was ever going to come for me personally'@Niamh_Fahey1 looks back on her massive journey to get to a World Cup after playing for Ireland for so long | ๐ฎ๐ช
๐๏ธ @ashoreilly | #COYGIG pic.twitter.com/KJJUunQo5Sโ Off The Ball (@offtheball) June 30, 2023
Fahey was also asked about how her family felt ahead of the squad announcement this week and admitted her family felt the pressure more than she did.
"They were more nervous than me. My mam told me she couldn't relax, and I got a picture of the dog buried under the pillow. So yeah, he was probably picking up the tension in the house.
I gave them the text, and they were relieved in the end. So they can relax now as well. Obviously, they feel the pressure, their part of the journey, and they know what I go through. I am not the easiest to be around at times, especially when I've been injured. They have helped me a lot. I am happy that they can now enjoy the moment as well."
Ireland will play the opening game of the World Cup against co-hosts Australia and also play group games against Canada and Nigeria in the following weeks.
Ireland WNT Squad
Goalkeepers: Courtney Brosnan (Everton), Grace Moloney (Reading), Megan Walsh (Brighton & Hove Albion)
Defenders: Heather Payne (Florida State University), รine O'Gorman (Shamrock Rovers), Niamh Fahey (Liverpool), Louise Quinn (Birmingham City), Diane Caldwell (Reading), Claire O'Riordan (Celtic), Megan Connolly (Brighton & Hove Albion), Chloe Mustaki (Bristol City), Izzy Atkinson (West Ham United)
Midfielders: Katie McCabe (Arsenal), Denise O'Sullivan (North Carolina Courage), Lily Agg (London City Lionesses), Ruesha Littlejohn (Aston Villa), Ciara Grant (Hearts), Sinead Farrelly (NJ/NY Gotham), Lucy Quinn (Birmingham City)
Forwards: Kyra Carusa (London City Lionesses), Amber Barrett (Standard Liege), Marissa Sheva (Washington Spirit), Abbie Larkin (Shamrock Rovers)Training Players: Sophie Whitehouse, Harriet Scott, Jamie Finn
