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The Guardian - UK
The Guardian - UK
Sport
Sophie Downey

After an eight-year break, Ireland’s Sinead Farrelly is World Cup-bound

Sinead Farrelly during the women's international friendly between USA and Republic of Ireland at the Q2 Stadium in Austin, Texas in April
Sinead Farrelly: ‘Ireland has always been really interwoven into our life,’ she says. Photograph: Stephen McCarthy/Sportsfile/Getty Images

Comebacks are synonymous with football. The media are full of stories of athletes fighting the odds to regain their place at the top. You would, however, be hard to find one as satisfying and welcome as that of the Republic of Ireland’s Sinead Farrelly.

The 33-year-old is heading to her first World Cup after only 140 minutes of senior international football, marking one of the most remarkable returns. After a playing career in which she has overcome serious injury and experienced sexual abuse, she is a favourite to be named in the Irish lineup that will face hosts Australia in their sold-out tournament opener.

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