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While they play for Wexford, they hail from different parts of Ireland. Hansberry is from Strandhill, Co Sligo, while O’Riordan hails from Newcastlewest, Co Limerick. And while Hansberry has followed the elite pathway through the various under-age squads and into the senior panel, O’Riordan never played for Ireland at any level until this week.
Hansberry was first called up to the Irish squad for the 2014 Cyprus Cup and was also in Americia last May for the games against USA and Haiti so she’s had to wait a while to make her breakthrough but admits it was worth the wait.
“I’ve been waiting a wee while now but it was definitely worth it. I am glad I got a run out last night. It was a great feeling and it was a nice taster and hopefully I can push on now over the next few years and get a few more caps under my belt.
“When you come up to senior level it is a lot more faster and physical You can’t just walk in, you have to earn it and that’s through playing with your own club at home in Ireland and then when you are in here with the seniors you have to earn your place on the pitch. It took two years for me to do it but I did it in the end.”
Hansberry was part of the Ireland squad that went to the FIFA Women’s U17 World Cup in 2010 and reached the quarter-finals and she is the 11th player from that group to have been capped at senior level. However, for O’Riordan, the game against Hungary marked her first ever appearance at international level.
“It was my first ever time to represent my country so it was a big deal for me. I missed out on the under-age squads. That was disappointing but this is where I am now at the moment. Definitely, it was disappointing hearing about all the girls coming up and going to World Cup but these things happen. This is where I am now and this is what I am focused on and this is what I am going to keep working towards.”
Both are students at Carlow IT which has allowed them to continue their education while playing for Wexford Youths but given the distance from their respective homes it has meant making a lot of sacrifices according to O’Riordan.
“We don’t go home much because we can’t but this is the sort of commitment you have to have for the sport that you love. You really have to commit everything to try and be successful and that’s what we have both done. Last season I stepped away from my GAA roots and I have benefitted from it. I have grown so much as a player for Wexford Youths and now I am senior international, I have played Champions League, I have played in the Aviva and I have won a League and Cup double. It is good to get the rewards when you work so hard at something,” said O’Riordan.
Ireland’s final game at the Cyprus Cup will take place tomorrow at 9am (Irish time) against Finland in the Tasos Marko Stadium in Paralimni.