Rianna Jarrett hasn't given up the possibility of forcing her way back into Vera Pauw’s World Cup squad, but admits that her return from a long injury layoff may have come too late.
Jarrett completed her first 90 minutes in nearly a year and a half as Wexford Youths defeated Galway United 1-0 at Eamonn Deacy Park.
The 16-cap international has endured a difficult time on the sidelines, while also settling back into life in Ireland after her stint in the UK came to an end.
The striker left London City Lionesses, whom she joined from Brighton in July 2021, after spending the majority of her time working her way back to full fitness.
After tearing her calf last January, that was followed by a tweaked meniscus. When she was set to resume, an Achilles injury set her back once again, she told RTÉ Sport’s Darren Frehill.
"It was my first 90 minutes in 15, 16 months, so I’m very happy with that. It was a bit sloppy in patches and I know there are things I can improve on.
"It’s been a couple of smaller injuries that has kept me out for a long period of time
"It was frustrating. I had no consistency in my training."
The 28-year-old scored five goals in 18 appearances for title-chasing London City, but felt the decision to return home to the Women’s National League was one she had to make.
"It was a difficult decision. I left full-time football with London City who are fighting for the league. It was always going to be a difficult decision, but one I needed to do.
"I already feel better in the four weeks I have been home.
"I need to build minutes and unfortunately, I wasn’t going to get that opportunity over there."
Jarrett, who suffered three ACL injuries by the age of 21 before going to establish herself as one of the most potent strikers in the domestic game, winning back-to-back Player of the Season awards in 2018 and 2019, registering 53 goals over the course of both campaigns.
With little over four months until Ireland’s maiden World Cup campaign in Australia and New Zealand, Jarrett is aware that her return may come a little late to force her way back into manager Pauw’s plans.
Not that she has given up all hope of representing her country at the tournament.
"I think at the moment it’s a bridge too far, it might be coming that bit too soon for me. Don’t get me wrong, I’ll do everything in my power to be in the best possible condition come that time.
"For now, I’m just focused on what I need to do. You never know what will happen during the summer."
