On what will hopefully be a record-breaking night for the Ireland Women's National Team, Ruth Fahy explored the incredible development of certain IRLWNT players across the last two years.
Vera Pauw's first game in charge of the Irish side, it is hoped that Tallaght Stadium will be full to capacity on Tuesday evening when Ukraine arrives for a European Championships qualifier.
An initiative that has received strong backing from the 20x20 campaign, as many as 8,000 fans are expected to lend their support to the IRLWNT.
After securing an acceptable 2-0 win over Montenegro in the campaign's opening game last month, Ruth Fahy now believes that beating the group's second seeds has become a realistic ambition for an Irish team with plenty to be excited about.
"Comparing us now to two years ago, it is insane the amount of experience and accolades [the Irish players have] gathered already," she explained on Tuesday's OTB AM.
"If you even break down the team one-by-one and take the likes of Katie McCabe. Two years ago she was going out on loan to Glasgow when it wasn't quite happening for her at Arsenal.
"Since then she has gone on to establish herself at Arsenal and become one of the standout players in a WSL winning side.
"It is the same with Louise Quinn. She was coming off the back of losing her club Notts County a few years ago and had just been picked up by Arsenal.
"Same as Katie, she's won the 2018 WSL. It's absolutely huge! These are two players in top form in a top side in the UK."
Two of the more accomplished players Vera Pauw can look toward, the depth of talent available to the Dutch coach has grown significantly, however.
"Tyler Toland has just been signed by Manchester City and she's only turned 18," pointed out Fahy. "Niamh Fahey is a vice-captain at Liverpool and is entering her absolute prime.
"Two years ago Leanne Kiernan was still playing for Shelbourne and now she has a season under her belt with West Ham United in the WSL.
"Amber Barrett and Claire O'Riordan have both gone abroad and are playing professionally in Germany.
"Two years ago Claire was a striker with Wexford Youths, as was Amber with Peamount."
As Ruth Fahy acknowledged, however, with such talent comes added expectation and while the IRLWNT may theoretically sit behind Ukraine and Germany in terms of the group's seedings, a win tonight in front of a sizable Irish crowd would certainly encourage what could become a more regular occurrence.
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