Amber Barrett says playing alongside Denise O'Sullivan will be something to tell the grandkids about, and hailed the Corkwoman as one of the Republic of Ireland's greatest players.
O'Sullivan is in line to win her 100th international cap against the world No 1-ranked USA in this Saturday night's high-profile friendly [live on RTÉ2 from 7pm].
It was her inch-perfect pass that sent Barrett through to score against Scotland last October and seal Ireland's place at the World Cup. It will be a special occasion for O'Sullivan in Austin, but Barrett stressed her legacy has long been assured.
"Later down the line you'll have something to tell the grandkids about and I think playing with Denise O'Sullivan is definitely something you'll tell the grandkids about," she said.
"Everyone can learn from the way Denise carries herself on the field and carries herself off the field."
"She is one of the best, if not the best, Irish women's footballer over the last ten years.
"Look at the age of her, she is only 29, that says a lot about what she has done for Irish women's football.
"Such a good personality to have, such a good footballer but most importantly such a good person to have about. Everyone can learn from the way Denise carries herself on the field and carries herself off the field.
"For a woman who is so well travelled I think her best accomplishment is she hasn't lost that Cork accent!"
Reflecting on her prodded play-off winner against the Scots at Hampden Park, Barrett said: "There was a couple of versions of the goal that went viral and one of them was a really, really slowed down version and if you look as soon as Denise takes her first touch, the head looks already where she is going.
"It is very difficult to teach players that. Some of them just have that natural instinct to go forward. Yeah, the pass and the whole build-up to it, but that pass was a crucial moment."
Barrett, currently plying her trade in Germany with FFC Turbine Potsdam, may have been the heroine in Glasgow, but she's well aware that nothing can be taken for granted in the race to make it Down Under.
Vera Pauw will only be able to name a squad of 23 players for the tournament; and it means the looming double-header against all-conquering America [they play again in Missouri on Tuesday] is a crucial opportunity to stake a claim.
"I think every player has to have that in the back of their minds," the Donegal 27-year-old added.
"They know there's 23 positions up for grabs and I don't think anyone can say they're definitely going.
"Every time there’s a camp, everybody wants the opportunity to play and show their quality. Of course, I’m no different to that and hopefully in next two games I get that opportunity.
"Vera always puts a team out that can do the job and hopefully I can be one of those people."
Another international window means more fresh faces. In February, Aoife Mannion, Marissa Sheva and DA De La Harpe came on board. This month well-travelled goalkeeper Sophie Whitehouse arrives while US-born Sinead Farrelly and four-times capped Éabha O'Mahony, who studies in Texas, will train with the squad for the next three days.
Extra competition is all part of the journey, says Barrett, who will get to catch up with some of her county women at the weekend when the travelling 2021 and 2022 TG4 All Stars rock up at the stadium. They're also in Austin this week for the 2023 TG4/LGFA All Star tour and include Donegal's AFLW-bound Niamh McLaughlin.
"I actually only found out about that yesterday and was talking to Ciara Grant about it," smiled Barrett.
"It will be good to see a few of the Donegal girls and the fact that the All-Stars are over here is a great thing.
"I was planning on asking Vera if she would let me away on the Sunday to play in the All-Star match but I am not sure I am going to get the go-ahead just yet!
"To be honest, the mood in the camp is really, really good.
"Everyone is really excited for the two games, everyone is really excited to put in good performances. We have nothing to fear, we have proven that in the past, and nothing is going to change any time soon."
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.
