Jamie Finn admits that she was heartbroken not to have been selected for the World Cup in the summer but acknowledges that she had to put it behind her quickly.
The Republic of Ireland qualified for a first major tournament but things didn't go to plan in Australia as they failed to emerge from their group.
"It was a weird situation to be in," she told RTÉ Sport this week of her selection to travel as an injury reserve.
"Anyone who knows me knows that I'm so proud to be Irish and wear the green jersey. It was a shock, I was heartbroken not to be selected.
"I had to put the team first and went over to Australia and helped the team in any way I could - training and team meetings.
"But obviously it was very tough for me.
"That's what I had to try deal with over there," she said of being in Australia but not in the squad.
"I had to get on with it and help the team the best I could, and I think I did that."
In the aftermath, Vera Pauw wasn't offered a new contract, with Eileen Gleeson currently in charge on an interim basis.
The Girls in Green have made a bright start to their inaugural Nations League campaign, with victories over Northern Ireland and Hungary.
Those six points have them top of group B1 ahead of back-to-back meetings with Albania before the end of the month, starting with Friday's clash at Tallaght Stadium.
"It was a great start for us with two great performances in those games," she continued.
"It's important now to bring that momentum into these two games. As a team we need results and good performances."
What part Finn plays remains to be seen. She's now plying her trade with Birmingham City in the UK, having moved over from Shelbourne at the end of the summer in 2021.
The fact that the 25-year-old is back in the squad is no guarantee of game time, something she's acutely aware of.
"It's such a talented group of players now. A lot of players are abroad now, playing with great clubs in Europe and America.
"It's very difficult to get in but for me it's head down and working, that's all you can do. I've to give 100% in camp and see if I can get on the pitch.
"It's a dream every single time and never taken for granted so I just need to push on with that."
Watch Republic of Ireland v Albania in UEFA Nations League on Friday from 5.15pm on RTÉ2 and RTÉ Player, follow a live blog on RTÉ.ie/Sport and the RTÉ News app and listen to live radio commentary on 2fm's Game On from 5.40pm
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