Russell loving life back with Republic of Ireland

Julie-Ann Russell admits she was shocked by her recall to the Republic of Ireland squad despite prolific form in the Women’s Premier Division and is loving life with her daughter in camp this week.

Russell, 33, was out of the game on maternity leave a couple of years ago but re-signed with Galway last summer and has been a key part of their surge towards the top end of the table.

The forward has 60 international caps to her name but a return to the green shirt was not something in her thoughts until the call came.

She said: “I was a bit shook to be honest. Obviously I’d seen them doing well and so it had never really crossed my mind. I’m so happy.

“I was never officially retired. I didn’t know whether I’d come back playing after I got pregnant, it depended on my body and I felt really good and strong so I gave it a go.

“It’s funny, I feel like I’m fitter and stronger for having [her daughter] Rosie. I don’t know what that is down to. I’m older and have more experience. My perspective has changed, she is my number one priority and that helps.”

Balancing a club career and family life is one thing but the addition of more games and travelling only adds to the demands for Russell.

However she feels her experience is standing to her and the support of team management has aided it.

“From a young age I’ve been used to having a hectic life, playing football and studying from a young age. I’ve always been able to balance everything with work and then throwing in a baby now. I just love it.

“I’ll keep playing while my body is able to and until I fall out of love with it .

“At the moment I’m happy and I’ll continue.”

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Rosie is travelling with Russell in a move that shows the progression of the game in Ireland.

The United attacker described the feeling of having her daughter with her during the international window as ‘incredible’.

“If you said this a few years ago, it would be unheard of. It’s just incredible to have her in, it just makes my life more easier.

“The FAI have been so accommodating and so welcoming, I’m so grateful and I suppose if you said back in 2017 people said you may have had a baby in the camp, you would have laughed. It’s come on so much and I’m so grateful.

“She has a lot of new aunties [the other players] which is amazing. She’s the star of the show and absolutely loving life here and she has a few role models as well. It’s great for her to witness this and I can tell her in years to come what she was doing when she turned one.”

Ireland face England on Friday in Norwich, followed by the visit of France to the new surroundings of Pairc Ui Chaoimh next week.

The Girls in Green are out of the running to progress at this stage at least but Russell is still looking forward to the matches.

“They are two absolutely massive games against two top nations and they’re going to be really tough.

“Eileen [Gleeson] and the staff will have the team well-prepared. We’ve played them both already so they’ll know what is coming.”

Watch England v Republic of Ireland in Women’s Euro 2025 qualifying on Friday from 7.35pm on RTÉ2 and RTÉ Player. Follow a live blog on rte.ie/sport and the RTÉ News app and listen to live commentary on 2fm’s Game On