When Eimear Considine came on as a replacement for Munster in their Vodafone Women's Interprovincial Series match against Connacht last month she achieved what she had set out to do.
The 33-year-old had been off the international scene since April 2022, and in that time recovered from two knee injuries, given birth, and overcome a hamstring injury suffered prior to the first round of the Interpros
A 27th Ireland cap was not on the Clare woman's horizon when she decided that she wanted to give it another go but there was to be another flourish in green, seven years after her debut.
Ireland full-back Lauren Delany retired and Natasja Behan suffered an ACL injury.
When Méabh Deeley, who was outstanding for Connacht in their games, was ruled out with an injury, Scott Bemand opted for the experienced Considine for their game against Australia.
She didn't take the player of the match award from Ireland's impressive 36-10 win over the Wallaroos in Belfast but she was a contender.
"I never imagined I'd get back for Ireland," Considine tells RTÉ Sport as the team prepare for their shot at the world champion Black Ferns in WXV1 in the early hours of Monday morning in BC Place, Vancouver.
"My aim was just to get back on the pitch with Munster. The professional and that sportsperson in you has that drive to get better and then, it's like, 'do you know what? I am good enough to be here and I have hit the targets'.
"I tore my hamstring [before the opening round] but the knee itself was fine. The game plan was game-by-game but I've exceeded my own game plan. I felt like I wasn't finished, and the way that I finished meant that I wasn't finished.
"Look, I got a lucky break, Lauren Delany retired, Méabh Deely got injured, Natasja Behan done her ACL, three 15s gone and there was a gap I just walked into. You have to take every opportunity that's in front of you.
"If they believe that I can do a job for the team I will try and do that.
"What spurred me on?
"There wasn't one thing but being in here wants to make you push it to the next level. I can't believe how different this camp is and it gives you an opportunity to grow in so many different ways.
"Someone looking from the outside in might say I've been out of rugby for two years, she's not even starting with her province and she's only getting a little bit of game time, how the hell is she going to play for Ireland?
"I didn't see it coming but Scott just had the trust in me to come in. He came down to Munster training a couple of times, then he gives you the opportunity in Ireland training to compete for a jersey.
"I have a point to prove, he doesn't know anything about me, I came in here starting from scratch. I might have had 26 caps but it didn't feel like that and while I had experience, even when I was starting for Ireland consistently I never believed I would be starting."
The two cameo appearances at the end of the series and whatever she did in training convinced Bemand she was the woman for the job.
Brilliant from Eimear Considine on her comeback in green! 🤝#IrishRugby pic.twitter.com/C2yDZa9lNK
— Irish Rugby (@IrishRugby) September 14, 2024
She pounced for Ireland's third try, a breakaway effort from halfway and that led to fantastic scenes of celebration but scoring was the gravy, the bread and butter was the rest of it.
"It was great, I knew I had it scored before I scored," she said. "It was the icing on top of a really tough two years coming back.
"The game we are going with, the 15s and the 10s primary catchers. Catching and kicking, that's my game.
"The game plan, a kicking focus, catch and kick, suits my strengths, so even though I was nervous I slotted back in seamlessly. It felt like I had the trust of the girls and I really like the gameplan.
"It's so different in here, I've really enjoyed it.
"I did good things in the game and positioning, that's my experience coming in.
"Even though I didn't play in the last couple of years I'm still involved, working, commentating, so you have that analysis head on you in the backfield, scanning, you have an idea where you are supposed to be."
Considine is one of the few non-contracted players in the squad and juggles her teaching job - with "very supportive" principal and deputy principals, a toddler and now a tour to the far side of Canada.
The way things have worked out to get her on this trip means she knows that looking too far ahead is folly.
But 2025 is set to be a big year for Ireland, who will look to solidify their top-three status in the Six Nations and build towards the World Cup in England in August and September.
"It's an amazing year to be involved," adds Considine.
"It's like 2017, I came in this fresh-faced person and happened to be in a World Cup year. To come in again, unexpectedly in the World Cup year is savage.
"I don't know if I'm pessimistic or realistic but I just have to take it one game at a time.
"The injury profile I've had in the last while, the way I was out of the game, I don't want to get my hopes up too much about playing in the Six Nations because there's a lot of logistics I have to figure out.
"Injuries, as well, selection, form, there's a lot there but ultimately it would be class to be involved in a good year, especially with a World Cup so close to home."
For now, the mission is the Black Ferns and Ireland also have an eye on the games against Canada and USA.
"It's unfamiliar territory playing New Zealand, their style of rugby," she says ahead of the teams' third ever meeting.
"We want to get to that level, that top four. How are we going to get there if we don't play them and see how we are against top opposition. They'll be massive tests for us.
"They are formidable, they'll be using it as prep for the World Cup as much as we are using it for prep in such an exciting year.
"All of our stuff at the moment is playing against the Black Ferns. All eyes are on them and how they have played.
"Canada will have a few of their Sevens back, at home, they are always around the top four on the world stage.
"We've played the USA before and had a really good success rate, they are two games we are going to be gunning for."
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