Ireland's win will have 'massive positive effect' on grass roots football say local clubs

The Republic of Ireland women's heroic victory last night will have a long lasting impact on girl's football, that's according to local soccer clubs.

Vera Pauw's squad qualified for the 2023 World Cup after a hard fought 1-0 victory over Scotland at Hampden Park on Tuesday night.

Brian Matthews, chairperson of Balrath FC says the there is such excitement surrounding girls soccer that the club got together to watch the women in action.

"There has been an explosion in the girl's game lately and this is just really giving them a pathway.

"We have eleven girls teams ranging in age from under 8s up to seniors in the club. They all went out to watch the match in O'Brien's, Johnstown Village last night. We had 70 people there last night all supporting Ireland.

"It's a big thing for our club. We are one of the few clubs in Ireland when we started in 2010 to have the word girls in our name. The official name of our club is Balrath Girls and Boys Football Club."

Brian says equality is paramount for the Balrath Club, he added:

"We wanted to be an all inclusive game, at first we had to mix the teams but we strove for the girls to have separate identity in the club and not to be treated second best to the boys.

"If you come down on a Thursday night you'll see over 250 kids training in the local village park here in Kentstown Village. We don't have trials, we give everyone a chance.

"We play in the Metropolitan Girls League, one of the strongest leagues in the country. We strive for them to play at the strongest level that they can, always giving them a chance but we don't put them under pressure, we encourage all of the teams to play for enjoyment first and foremost.

"We are equal opportunity club here, we look after the girls as much as we look after the boys. Sometimes you find in schools is that the emphasis is on the boys teams and the girls are a secondary thought but we have never operated that way.

"The Irish Ladies team success will have a massive and positive effect on grass roots football for all girls playing every week."

Lauri Scott is a coach with Trim Celtic and a trailblazer in her own right being the first female coach of a male team.

"They'll look at these players and think that could be me one day, they are role models for sure.

"I don't think the sport would be as popular as it is if we didn't have female role models and that includes coaching too.

"We have an under 8s, two under 12s and under 16s girls teams.

"I started with the boys as my son wanted to play and I was actually the first women to coach a male side.

" When my daughter became interested I started coaching her and her team.

"I have had 100 per cent backing from day one. They never looked at me as a female, they just looked at me as a coach.

Orginally from California, Lauri grew up there playing football and only stopped playing at 50 due to an injury!

"It's so important for girls to get involved with team sports," she said.

"They do so much better in life, it gives them confidence, it's a social outlet and so good for well being."