Even before entering the Aviva Stadium, something felt different about this Wales team.
The first leg was frustrating, but a draw at the home of Welsh football provided a confidence boost. Ireland looked vulnerable, and, if Wales could get their tactics right, could do something in Dublin.
But we knew going over that it wasn’t going to be easy, especially with the news that the Girls in Green were going to be roared on by a partisan crowd of over 25,000. That alone is enough to strike fear into the most courageous of players and fans. However, this felt different.
Walking around Dublin pre-match, pockets of red began to form, with bucket hats becoming the norm in and around Temple Bar. Solo travellers, friends, players’ families, expats, everyone was welcomed with open arms ahead of what was to come.
As you set foot in the bowl of the Aviva Stadium, it hit you straight away the magnitude of this game, and there’s no doubt the Irish knew about that. Pre-match light shows with the Dropkick Murphys playing overhead at times felt intimidating, especially when you add Ireland’s chief cheerleader Katie McCabe into the mix.
Before kick-off, she would run into certain sections of the pitch, raise her arms aloft, and what followed was a roar that I have never heard before. That same roar went up after Amhrán na bhFiann concluded. That capacity crowd knew the role they had to play, but so did the Red Wall.
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Even in the heavens of that famous stadium, the passion of the 400 travelling fans could be heard, and the creative chants were drowning out the bangs of the drums, and the rogue ringing of a cowbell. Off the pitch, the Welsh contingent were doing their job, now it was down to those on the pitch to keep their end of the bargain.
In this current time in football, it’s easy to get bogged down in analytics, stats, and tactics, but this game was about moments. In fact, this whole campaign has been built on moments. Scoring four in Rhian Wilkinson’s first game, Elise Hughes bagging a brace out in Kosovo, Jess Fishlock becoming the country’s record goal scorer, Ffion Morgan’s crucial goal away in Slovakia, Ceri Holland’s extra time winner in the return leg. Wales have been fuelled by moments these past few months, and Tuesday night was no different.
While Ireland had plenty of moments in the first half, Olivia Clark produced the first piece of magic of the night. With Julie-Ann Russell’s shot looking destined for the top corner, Clark leapt into action to thwart her magnificently. Wales’ number one is a woman transformed since moving to FC Twente, and her crucial saves in both legs should not go unnoticed.
As far as Wales attacking moves, the less said about the first period the better, but right at the start of the second half, a lifeline. I’m not here to discuss the handball law or whether it should be a penalty or not, but the theatre around it was nerve-recking, but also powerful.
Hannah Cain took the ball and was instantly swarmed by green shirts still reasoning with the referee. The Leicester forward had never taken a penalty for Wales, and to do so in this game was brave. Yet, with the Irish circus still going on in the area, Jess Fishlock took the ball away from Cain, and in the process, diverted attention onto her. In the meantime, Angharad James and Josie Green had a quick word with Cain, encouraging her to just do what she does best, and boy did she.
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One ACL injury is horrific enough, but to suffer two, along with a very serious foot injury tests the mental fortitude of any individual. For Hannah Cain to come back time after time, and to do that on a stage so big is nothing short of inspiring. It really felt like that penalty was the final sentence in a long and horrible chapter in Cain’s career. Now she’s ready to start a new one, and one which could take her to a new level. Another moment etched into the ever-growing Welsh scrapbook.
But in the ten minutes that followed, two incidents happened that would have played on the mind and hamper the Cymru of old. Angharad James missing a one-on-one opportunity had our heads in our hands, because we’ve seen misses like that before with plenty of Wales teams, and we usually know what happens after that. Then Fishlock goes off with 30 minutes to go. To lose your icon, your superstar, with that long to go and a lead to hold on to is tough, and it’s something Wales have not really experienced. And yet, despite those two negatives, this was a different Wales.
Seeing Carrie Jones outmuscle Niamh Fahey, sprint through on goal and find the bottom corner was nothing short of magical, but this is a moment that she’s been waiting patiently for. Having made her debut at just 15-years-old, Jones has been in and out of the squad, but these two legs has shown what the Norrköping midfielder has become. Her confidence has risen tremendously, physically she’s stronger, and mentally too. A huge goal for a player who’s fast becoming a vital part of this team.
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And at 2-0 with Ireland missing chance after chance, dare I say, Welsh fans began to feel confident! But we never do things the easy way do we? Anna Patten pulling one back, Megan Campbell’s long throws, even VAR getting involved to rescue Wales, eight minutes never felt so long!
However, we saw yet another development in this Welsh side. Ireland are known for their s-housery, and they deploy those tactics well, but we played them at their own game. Clark going down with cramp, Ella Powell needing to redo her hair bobble, Josie Green not letting McCabe out of her sight. Eileen Gleeson’s side were the ones frustrated, there was nothing they can do.
For us there in Dublin, and to those watching at home, I don’t think it’s possible to put into words how we felt when that final whistle blew. Tears, jubilation, hugs and kisses all around. When you’ve tried and tried for so long to rewrite history, and often falling at the final hurdle, it takes its toll on you. 50 years of pressure was finally released.
To the players, the nation simply can’t thank you enough. The older heads like Fishlock, James, Rhiannon Roberts, Sophie Ingle, Kayleigh Barton, they will finally be able to say they’ve played in a major tournament for their country. But what this campaign has been all about is those on the periphery. Those who have waited and waited for their chance. Those who were constantly named on the bench but were only used for ten minutes if they’re lucky under the previous manager.
Josie Green, Charlie Estcourt, Ffion Morgan, Alice Griffiths, Carrie Jones, Hannah Cain, Mary McAteer. There are more, but these stars have all shined during this campaign, and they’ve proven they can play at the elite level. We’ve all known that they can, but now they’ve showcased it to the world.
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To Rhian Wilkinson, just wow. It’s still hard to believe the Canadian only joined in February this year. In the space of a couple of months, her style of play has been implemented, the players have taken it on, and incredibly, she has qualified for a major tournament in her first attempt!
A special mention too for Jon Grey. The quiet man by Wilkinson’s side. This all started back in the Dublin suburb of Tallaght, where he managed the team to a 2-0 friendly win over Ireland. What we saw in February was a shift in mentality, a new confidence in the team, and no doubt Grey has had a big part to play in that.
And to the fans, where do I begin? The noise and passion you have brought to every country that we’ve visited has been so inspiring. Wales isn’t the same without you, and the players all know that, as well as the management. Dublin was special, and the moments created pre- and post-match will stay with us forever, from weirdly strict bouncers in Temple Bar to discussions about Toblerone. I have no doubt that we will all see you in Switzerland in July.
The final thank you goes to those who have come before all this. Without Laura McAllister, Karen Jones and Michelle Adams, there would be no team. But even before then, the women who played in the 70s and 80s who finally got the recognition they deserved before the playoffs, there would be no Jess Fishlock or Angharad James without you. This qualification is down to you as much as it is down to those representing the country today.
Now we go to Switzerland, and while many will doubt what we can do, we all know deep down the potential in this side. Dare we dream of a Euro 2016 repeat? Who knows! Walking into the Aviva felt different on Tuesday, and now, Welsh football is going to feel very different over the next year, and my god it will be for the better.
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