Ireland forward Leanne Kiernan has admitted that she will accept any outcome of next week's World Cup squad announcement made by Vera Pauw.
Ireland will play France on Thursday, July 6, in the Tallaght Stadium. But before that, on Thursday, Ireland head coach Vera Pauw will select a final 23-player squad for the tournament in Australia and New Zealand.
Pauw spoke this week about making the hard decisions ahead of the tournament.
"The tightest decisions will come still. The players that are closest, of course, also players will drop out when the four other players come in. Those are the ones that are tightest," said the 60-year-old on Friday.
One of the players who is touch and go is Liverpool forward Leanne Kiernan. The Cavan native suffered an ankle injury last September and had not played in 9 months. Kiernan's first game back on the international front was Ireland's 3-2 win over Zambia this week.
One would assume that Kiernan would be nervous or anxious ahead of the big announcement on Thursday, but that isn't the case.
"You needed someone breaking the lines, she was the only one to do that” ⚡️
Does Leanne Kiernan make Vera Pauw's XI for the World Cup opener? 🤔
LISTEN 🎙️https://t.co/3xs4IuOzKx#CadburySupporterAndAHalf | @CadburyIreland | @TheCOYGIGPod pic.twitter.com/x6N7mM9KKb— Off The Ball (@offtheball) June 23, 2023
"I just think what's meant to be will be, and what's for you won't pass you," Kiernan said to reporters this week.
"Just chill and see what happens. I can't control it now, so... Sure, what can you do? It's out of your control. Relax and see what's to come.
"Listen, as a young kid, I always wanted to represent my country and to represent it at a senior level and have a chance of going to the World Cup. It's a dream come true. It's a great group of girls, and of course, we're very proud to wear the jersey."
Ireland's game against France will begin at 8pm on Thursday, July 6.
After this, Ireland will then play in the opening game of the World Cup against co-hosts Australia at the 83,000-capacity Stadium Australia on July 20. They will also play group games against Canada and Nigeria in the following weeks.
