The Irish Women's football team has made substantial progress in the past 10 years, with one of the highlights being its qualification for the Women’s World Cup debut in 2023, opening the tournament against co-hosts Australia.
Now the team is deep in its campaign to qualify for the 2027 World Cup in Brazil, in a tough group containing the Netherlands, France, and Poland. The team are underdogs in Group A2 but are guaranteed a play-off place regardless, thanks to them beating Belgium over two legs in last October's Nations League promotion/relegation showdown.
Interest in the team spiked thanks to greater coverage on the ground and in the media, as well as greater investment in time, energy and money. The team now plays at the Aviva Stadium, bringing tens of thousands of supporters to the game. Their first match in 2023 saw them beat Northern Ireland 3 - 0 in front of a crowd of 35,994, roughly five times the previous record of 7,633 set at Tallaght Stadium.
Its current position on the world stage has come from decades of work, effort and perseverance from previous players, staff and supporters who backed them since the early days. Even when women’s football wasn’t official, the love for the game from players and supporters was there.
The Irish women’s football team have an interesting history, going back to the squad of trailblazers who played a four-match tour in France. It paved the way for Ireland's women's team to play its first official international game in 1973, when they beat Wales 3-2, as well as for players like Anne O’Brien, who travelled to play professional football with the French team Reims.
From then, it’s been steady growth and determination. While the team didn’t get the same level of attention as the men’s game in the early days, the last 10 to 15 years have seen the team capture the public's imagination, with players like Katie McCabe, Denise O'Sullivan, and Courtney Brosnan blazing a trail for current and future generations.
The Irish women’s team are on an upward trajectory, thanks to the strong foundations set by previous generations. That support and dedication doesn’t emerge out of thin air but is built through consistency and dedication, resulting in a sustainable base ranging from grassroots organisations, local teams and communities, all plugging away for the love of the game and passion for football.
The Credit Union not only allows individuals and collectives to pursue their dreams but also gives them the footing to make them a reality. Through investment and support, it provides the backdrop for those with big dreams to become trailblazers, knowing that big dreams come from local support.
This is only possible by supporting through the good times and the tough times, and knowing you’re backed and supported makes a world of difference. Through that approach, the Credit Union has played an influential role in local communities, helping those turn dreams into realities through funding, expertise, and local knowledge.
You can find out more about how your credit union can support your plans by visiting www.creditunion.ie
Credit Unions in Ireland are regulated by the Central Bank of Ireland.
