Niamh Fahey's most vivid World Cup memories are from 2002: Roy Keane, Saipan, Steve Finnan Panini stickers... it only takes a slight prompt for it all to come flooding back.
Now the Liverpool and Republic of Ireland centre-half is aiming to write her own chapter in Irish football history ahead of Tuesday's crunch play-off against Scotland.
Fahey missed last month's qualifier wins over Finland and Slovakia due to a groin problem. Her return is a very welcome boost for Vera Pauw, whose preparations have been hindered by a slew of other injuries.
The 34-year-old started Ireland's Euros play-off against Iceland back in 2008 and knows just how rare and precious this opportunity is. The wider impact of an Ireland women's team making it to a World Cup is not lost on anybody involved with the squad.
"These opportunities don't come around often," she said.
"The last time I had it was at the start of my career against Iceland at the Euro play-off. That was at the start and now you could say I’m at the end. I know how big of an opportunity it is.
"It’s important to have no fear, go for it and put in the best performance we can. Hopefully the result can go our way.
"For myself, it's just great to be fit and healthy back in. It was gutting personally to miss those two games but that's what the team and the squad is there for, to get us through and now, luckily for me, I'm fit and ready to be part of the squad and when I'm called upon and needed."
This Ireland team have gone through a major evolution and Fahey has been there throughout. She is highly aware of the impact qualification would have - on and off the pitch, this Ireland team has the potential to spark huge change.
Asked where she thought the women's game will be in 20 years' time Fahey replied: "It's hard to actually predict because in my time, in 10 years, the change has been so rapid.
"I probably wouldn't have thought it would change so drastically in 10 years, so 20 years' time, I don't know where it's going to go. I know it's only going to go in one direction and that's up.
"You saw Barcelona selling out the Camp Nou on numerous occasions. Now I think as the game develops you'll start to see the improvement in underage structures, which is huge, and facilities, which also need improving.
"There's a lot of those things that still need to be brought up to a professional level and I think as that continues to improve you'll just see the game go from strength to strength. It's limitless, as to where it can go so it's exciting times. I only wish I was starting off all over again."
Fahey also had words of consolation for her Liverpool team-mate Leanne Kiernan, who misses out on the play-off after sustaining a bad ankle injury in the league win against Chelsea.
It's a particularly cruel blow for the forward after she'd led the Reds to promotion last season and looked to be staking a real claim for a starting spot with Ireland, having come off the bench against Slovakia last time out.
"It's devastating for her because she had started off the season so well," Fahey added.
"She's a big loss for us, for club and country. But the good thing with Leanne is that she's young and she'll bounce back. She's already had the surgery and is on the road to recovery. Hopefully we'll see her by the back end of the season.
"We just have to support her and wish her well with her recovery."
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