Ireland keeper Grace Moloney achieved one of her childhood dreams by winning her first competitive Ireland cap in last night's 3-1 loss to Germany.
The Girls in Green saw their UEFA Women's Championship qualification hopes extinguished but it was nonetheless a proud night for the 27-year-old.
Reading star Moloney represented Ireland at various youth levels but last night saw her claim a first cap for the senior side in competition - a reward for her outstanding form at club level.
Posting a throwback photo from her childhood, showing her kitted out in an Ireland jersey, alongside a picture of the team before last night's game.
Moloney tweeted: "To the chubby little girl that just wanted to wear her Ireland kit everywhere, to last night, it was absolutely everything."
Ireland narrowly missed out on a place at the Euro 2022 finals, with a 1-0 defeat away to Ukraine in October proving particularly costly.
Boss Vera Pauw's FAI deal is up and it's not yet clear if the Dutch gaffer will stay in the role.
But she is confident that Ireland will reach the 2023 World Cup.
Pauw said: “This bunch of players have such a huge future. They don’t know where the ceiling is and they will be at the World Cup, I truly believe that.
“First, the question is if the FAI wants me to extend my contract and then there’s my private situation.
“I’m going to rest and I’ll discuss it with my partner. I was crying there and right now, of course it’s yes, but I need to rest.
“My heart is fully with this team. We do things together. They’re a fantastic bunch of tigers and there’s huge talent coming through.”
