In 2017, members of the Republic of Ireland women's team held a press conference in Dublin wanting equal rights to the men's national team.
Among the issues raised was the failure of the Football Association of Ireland (FAI) to compensate players for loss of earnings, or match fees.
On repeat 🔂
That winning goal from @amberbarrett09 💥#COYGIG | #OUTBELIEVE | #WeAreOne pic.twitter.com/R9CRZCnmet
— FAIreland ⚽️🇮🇪 (@FAIreland) October 12, 2022
Then-team captain Emma Byrne said, "what we want is for the FAI to empower and enable our players to commit to training camps and international games without having to worry about unpaid leave."
She also described it as "humiliating" to air their grievances in public.
Seven years on, and with many fresh faces to the team - the Republic of Ireland has qualified for its first World Cup finals.
HISTORY MADE ✅#SCOIRL | #COYGIG | #WeAreOne pic.twitter.com/fWuKztIr3x
— FAIreland ⚽️🇮🇪 (@FAIreland) October 11, 2022
The team defeated Scotland in Glasgow thanks to an Amber Barrett goal to book a ticket to the tournament in Australia and New Zealand next summer.
“I think any player always dreams they score a winning goal” ⚽️
Amber Joined Ian to chat about dreaming of scoring the winning goal & her tribute to her family’s hometown of Creeslough 💛@amberbarrett09 @FAIreland @IanDempsey#FIFAWWC #SCOIRE #COYGIG #WeAreOne pic.twitter.com/h7P2mugyH1
— Today FM 💛 (@TodayFM) October 12, 2022
Minister for Sport Jack Chambers has described the Republic of Ireland team as "an incredible group of players".
While President Michael D Higgins said it was a "historic achievement."
