NIAMH Fahey believes that Ireland could still reach the play-offs for the 2015 Women’s World Cup, if they record a win against Slovenia tonight.
The ladies' side have three qualifying fixtures remaining, which they will need to win if they are to stand any chance of competing in next year’s tournament in Canada.
Speaking to The Irish Post from the team’s base in Dublin, the Ireland and Arsenal ladies midfielder revealed that the team are confident of a good result in tonight’s Group One game at the Tallaght Stadium.
“Everyone’s positive, it’s our last home game so we want to finish on a good result and end high,” she said.
“The girls played really well away in the first leg [winning 3-0], attacking wise we were really good, so we’re hoping to put on the same kind of performance.”
Germany are almost certain to automatically qualify out of Group One for the World Cup finals, with Russia currently second-placed and five points ahead of Sue Ronan’s Ireland side.
It means Russia remain the favourites to take the group's only play-off place with Ireland's slight hopes resting on a clean sweep in their remaining games and a Russian slip-up.
Fahey, 26, admitted that Russia would need to perform poorly in their next few games if Ireland are to finish behind Germany, but she has not yet ruled out her side's chances.
“We’re ranked as outsiders, but we’re just looking to finish as high up as we can [in the group],” she said.
“In the next three games we want to try for maximum points, even though we have Germany to play.
“Stranger things have happened, so we’ll keep a glimmer of hope.”
The Arsenal Ladies player also revealed that the team will take confidence from the Ireland women’s rugby squad, who have just returned from the Women's Rugby World Cup in France after reaching the semi-finals.
“Everyone was following the women’s World Cup, it was great to see them do so well,” Fahey added.
“They were really unlucky I think, but did brilliantly at the same time to finish fourth in the world.
“That definitely inspires us and gives us great confidence, and everyone’s positive feedback of how well they’ve done and how well they’ve represented women in sport gives us a lot of confidence.”
Whilst delivering praise for their rugby counterparts, Fahey also mentioned that she was “delighted” for her ex-Arsenal boss Shelly Kerr, who has become Scotland’s first female manager of a professional men’s football team.
“It’s another good step forward for women in football that they’re getting these kind of appointments,” she said.
