Soccer

Amber Barrett: Hurt of Euro disappointment can drive Republic on in World Cup bid

SPAR FAI School Zone was launched today by Republic of Ireland players Jack Byrne and footballer, Amber Barrett. SPAR FAI School Zone is a new digital learning initiative that has been designed by the FAI and sponsored by SPAR for teachers and parents of primary school children in fourth, fifth and sixth class offering interactive and engaging lesson plans designed with both the classroom and home schooling in mind. Register SPAR FAI School Zone for today at: https://www.fai.ie/domestic/spar-fai-school-zone/register. Picture by Sportsfile
SPAR FAI School Zone was launched today by Republic of Ireland players Jack Byrne and footballer, Amber Barrett. SPAR FAI School Zone is a new digital learning initiative that has been designed by the FAI and sponsored by SPAR for teachers and parents of SPAR FAI School Zone was launched today by Republic of Ireland players Jack Byrne and footballer, Amber Barrett. SPAR FAI School Zone is a new digital learning initiative that has been designed by the FAI and sponsored by SPAR for teachers and parents of primary school children in fourth, fifth and sixth class offering interactive and engaging lesson plans designed with both the classroom and home schooling in mind. Register SPAR FAI School Zone for today at: https://www.fai.ie/domestic/spar-fai-school-zone/register. Picture by Sportsfile

THE disappointment of missing out on a spot at the 2022 European Championships can spur the Republic of Ireland on in future campaigns.

That is the hope of hotshot forward Amber Barrett, the former Donegal GAA star who is currently plying her trade with FC Koln in Germany’s Bundesliga 2.

Barrett came off the bench in last November’s win-or-bust clash with Group I table-toppers Germany at Tallaght Stadium, but she couldn’t stop Vera Pauw’s side slipping to a 3-1 defeat that ended their hopes of securing a play-off spot.

Considering how strongly the campaign had started, including a 3-2 win over Ukraine who eventually took second place, it was a disappointing climax for the Republic.

But the Milford woman hopes that hurt can help them reach new heights as they switch their targets towards qualification for the 2023 World Cup in Australia/New Zealand.

“We just have to use every little bit of hardship and every little bit of disappointment and bring that into the next campaign.

“Unfortunately the last couple of years, we’ve always been close and just ended up missing out… it was the same with the last campaign, which was definitely the most disappointing we’ve had.

“We started off so well, were in such a good position, and then just the way the group ended up. But one of the first things Vera said to us after the Germany game at home was ‘remember this feeling, this is not going to happen to us again’.”

Pauw recently agreed a two-year contract extension that keeps her with the Republic until the World Cup campaign. Barrett, though, isn’t so sure what her own future holds.

The 25-year-old’s two year deal finishes at the end of this season, which will resume on March 31 after a pandemic-enforced hiatus.

FC Koln were relegated from the German top flight last year and, having adapted well to life in the second tier, Barrett says her focus for now is on securing promotion.

“To be honest, I don’t really know what the situation is for me over the next few months.

“I’m with Koln until the end of the season, there’s still a part of me that wants to get back into the first league and that’s the goal for the team. The break in momentum has been frustrating but hopefully that’s something we can sort over the next few weeks.

“I’m not sitting here saying I want to leave and I’m not saying I’m definitely going to stay because I don’t know at the minute. Those are definitely conversations for the next few months.”