Her introduction as a second half substitute against Spain last November was her senior debut and she has arrived at this week’s Cyprus Cup with several objectives in mind.
“I intend to train hard, try and do the best I can for the team, get some game time, get a few more caps and score some goals if I can get into the right positions,” she answered when asked what her objectives for the week are.
Shine says it was proud moment when she won her first senior cap last November but admits that there is a big difference between underage and senior international football.
“It is a massive step and even the girls I am playing with are asking for a lot more because it is a higher standard. I was kind of surprised when Sue called me to come on but obviously I was determined to grab the chance with both hands and do the best I could when I went on. Playing against Spain, at that level, was amazing. They are a top class team and I hope there are many more caps to come.”
Shine has fond memories of playing against Austria at under-age level. She scored a cracking goal against them in 2014 when Ireland’s U19s beat the Austrians 1-0 in the Elite Phase of the European Championship on their way to an eventual semi-final finish.
“Austria are always very good and they move the ball very well. I haven’t played them at this level but I presume they will be a tough team so we will have to dig deep and hopefully come out with the win,” said Shine.
While she didn’t play against world champions USA in San Diego in January, Shine did feature in the behind closed doors game against the USA U23s two days later in Los Angeles and enjoyed the experience.
“It was very good and it was a step up but most of us were still in pre-season for that game so hopefully this trip will be better and we’ll get some results because that’s the aim. We want to get some wins on board before our qualifying games next month. “
Shine moved to Glasgow City last summer and scored 17 goals, including a hat-trick, in the Scottish Cup Final. She began the new season last Sunday in similar style with a hat-trick in the first round of the Scottish Cup against Inverness. Not surprisingly she has arrived in Cyprus with a spring in her step and is hoping to continue doing what she does best.
“My job is to score goals and hopefully if I can get game time I can bag a couple here”
Republic of Ireland Women’s National Team Squad
Goalkeepers: Emma Byrne (Arsenal), Niamh Reid-Burke (Shelbourne), Grace Moloney (Reading)
Defenders: Louise Quinn (Eskilstuna United), Jessica Gleeson (Wexford Youths), Megan Campbell Manchester City), Niamh Fahey (Chelsea), Savannah McCarthy (Glasgow City), Sophie Perry (Brighton & Hove Albion), Meabh De Burca (Galway).
Midfielders: Karen Duggan (UCD Waves), Denise O’Sullivan (Glasgow City), Diane Caldwell (Kóln), Ruesha Littlejohn (Glasgow City), Julie-Ann Russell (UCD Waves), Megan Connolly (Florida State University), Katie McCabe (Arsenal), Emma Hansberry (Wexford Youths), Rachel Graham (Shelbourne).
Strikers: Clare Shine (Glasgow City); Rianna Jarrett (Wexford Youths), Aine O’Gorman (UCD Waves), Claire O’Riordan (Wexford Youths).
Ireland’s Cyprus Cup Schedule is as follows:
Wednesday, March 2: Republic of Ireland v Austria, Paralimni, 12:30 (Irish time)
Friday, March 4: Republic of Ireland v Italy, Larnaca, 15:30 (Irish time)
Monday, March 7: Republic of Ireland v Hungary, Paralimni, 15:30 (Irish time).
Wednesday, March 9: Positional Play-Offs
ENDS