If you want to put your endurance levels to the ultimate test, or if you’re perhaps harbouring a masochistic streak, it’s time to get training for this year’s Hell and Back.
Irish football star and Sunderland Ladies striker Stephanie Roche joined Ray D’Arcy on Tuesday’s show.
Of course, you can’t interview a member of the Irish squad without mentioning a certain elephant in the room.
"When they make Reeling in the Years for 2017, they’ll probably show footage of a press conference given by the national women’s football team and them threatening to go on strike before the friendly against Slovakia."
"So, let’s talk about your Saipan moment…" says Ray. "What did you want?"
For Stephanie, it boils down to paving a viable path for future talent and making sure structures are in place to preserve the quality of the team at senior level.
"We weren’t being divas… it’s about, for us, wanting to set standards for those players coming up and to have things in place for them."
Roche found it disappointing to have to raise issues such as wifi access, ownership of tracksuits and conditions in the away camp and saw the press conference as a last resort. It was simply about being treated properly as athletes.
"It’s not even about women and men. It’s about us being treated properly as footballers."
She went on to explain that she simply wanted to enjoy the same standards foreign players do - having everything prepared when they arrive and finding yourself in a supportive environment, so they can pursue a successful career for as long as possible.
At the end of a long night of negotiations, the team’s terms were met, and not a moment too soon. With the world cup qualifiers coming up, it’s onwards and upwards for women’s football.
"We’ve come to an agreement and we’re hopefully going to be able to work together as one."
This interview was first broadcast on Tuesday 25th April on The Ray D'Arcy Show. You can listen in full by clicking here.
