Two of the Republic of Ireland's latest recruits have been sharing their joy at being called into Vera Pauw’s squad for the upcoming friendly double-header against the USA.
Ireland will face the world’s number one side in Texas on Saturday (7.30pm Irish time) and Missouri on Tuesday (00.30 Wednesday). Both games will be live on RTÉ2 and RTÉ Player.
Shamrock Rovers striker and full-time student Alannah McEvoy said that she had been working in her local Centra when she learned of her promotion to the senior squad.
"I only found out on Friday, just before it came out," she said. "I was in work and I got a text.
"I actually happened to be on my 15-minute break in work and I was just sitting down and that’s when the message popped up.
"I was just over the moon. I couldn’t believe it and I couldn’t stop crying. I was shaking and I just felt sick, it was just excitement.
"I had to go back to work and I couldn’t concentrate. So I ran out and called my family and then I was telling a few people in work. My 15-minute break turned into a 40-minute break because I couldn’t stop crying.
"Then I had to explain to my manager 'Look, I’m not going to be here for the next two or three weeks’.
"It was the longest shift of my life. I just couldn’t wait to go home."
The 22-year-old said "it has been a while" since her appearances for the U19 international side but said she hadn’t lost hope of a senior call.
"I believed in myself," she insisted. "The last couple of camps I have been on standby so I’ve been waiting for it to happen and luckily it happened this camp. I’m just delighted."
Eighteen-year-old Tara O’Hanlon also had her first day in training camp at the weekend and admitted winning a place in Vera Pauw's squad for the World Cup in the summer was in the back of her mind.
"I think it’s everyone’s dream to play in a World Cup," said the Peamount United defender.
"It’s definitely something that’s at the back of my head but coming into this camp, my first, I’m 18 and I’m being realistic.
"I’ll dream but I just need to keep my head down and work hard. Play the best that I can in training and then if I get a few minutes on the pitch, great."
O’Hanlon is trying to balance the demands of football and studying for her Leaving Certificate in June.
"I have so much time out of school with football that I have to catch up on," she said.
"I’d like to say I am going over to America and I will study five hours a day but realistically, when you are in camp you got team time and then you got down time.
"I will try and get as much study as I can done but it is very much a thing that when I get back from camp that’s when I am going to have to start working twice as hard as everyone else.
"I think I am very lucky with my school. They have been very supportive, helping me wherever they can. Teachers taking extra time after school to give me lessons, being there if I need them, I can contact them, just drop them a text or a message, they given me a lot of support and have made it really easy."
Watch USA v Republic of Ireland on Saturday from 7pm live on RTÉ2 and RTÉ Player and follow a live blog on RTÉ.ie/Sport and the RTÉ News app.
Listen to the RTÉ Soccer podcast on Apple Podcasts, Spotify or wherever you get your podcasts.
