A month after the Creeslough tragedy, World Cup heroine Amber Barrett recalls how ‘do it for Donegal’ were the words ringing in her ears before she scored the goal that won Ireland a place at next year’s tournament secured in Australia and New Zealand.
He still believes the tragedy was a motive for the team, a chance for them to give the country a short break.
Barrett (26) came on as a substitute for the Republic of Ireland in the crucial qualifier against Scotland in Glasgow and scored the goal that sent Ireland to the World Cup for the first time next summer.
“Just as I arrived, one of the medical team said to me, ‘Do it for Donegal.’ Those words never got out of my head,” she told the Sunday independent from Germany, where she plays professionally as a forward for Turbine Potsdam.
“It’s the most important goal I’ve ever scored. I’m not sure anything could ever top that. Because of what just happened in Donegal, the most important thing to have is perspective.
“I really believe that the tragedy in Creeslough has been a huge boost for the whole team throughout the week. It has had a huge impact on all of us.”
Days before the game, 10 people were killed in an explosion in the village.
This is where Barrett’s mother came from and a place where she spent her childhood summers and Christmases.
She dedicated her goal to “these 10 beautiful souls” and kissed the black armband on her jersey in tribute to the dead after finding the net with 18 minutes remaining.
“It was a somber mood in training all week. I explained to the other girls what Creeslough is like, that it’s a small village and everyone knows everyone,” Barrett said.
“They all really cared and understood. There is such a sense of togetherness in our team. It’s a fantastic group of young women. We all go above and beyond for each other. If you have that, you can achieve anything.”
The secondary school teacher joins her team-mates in Marbella, Spain this week for Ireland’s first World Cup preparation camp.
She said the team had “moved on” from the controversy the side faced when they sang “Up the ‘Ra” after their win over Scotland. Barrett agrees to the apology, but her focus is on the World Cup and enjoying the build-up.
The team has come a long way since 2017, when players had to take a stand at Liberty Hall just to get their own tracksuits, said Action Barrett, who planted the seed for the current team’s success. Your focus is now on taking the next step. “It’s not just about this World Cup. It’s about the Euro and then about the next World Cup. We are here to compete.”
Barrett is also aware that she and her teammates are an inspiration to young girls across Ireland.
“This is the greatest achievement. Knowing that we inspire young girls and boys to play soccer, especially girls. I won’t be playing for Ireland in 15 years, but there are young girls who are playing football now and they will.
“If we can inspire girls and even one person to start a club in their community, our job is done.”
https://www.independent.ie/irish-news/the-words-do-it-for-donegal-were-ringing-in-my-ears-before-i-scored-says-goal-hero-amber-barrett-42121815.html “The words ‘do it for Donegal’ were ringing in my ears before I scored,” says goalscorer Amber Barrett
