Liverpool forward Leanne Kiernan has admitted it would be a "dream come true" to represent the Republic of Ireland at this summer's Women's World Cup.
Kiernan arrived at Prenton Park from West Ham United in June 2021 and scored 14 goals to help the Reds win promotion back to the Women's Super League. However, the 24-year-old missed the majority of the 2022/23 campaign after suffering an ankle injury in Liverpool's surprise opening day victory over Chelsea.
She made her long-awaited Liverpool return against Aston Villa in May and was included in Vera Pauw's preliminary World Cup squad earlier this month, alongside Liverpool captain Niamh Fahey.
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The pair both started for the Republic of Ireland as the Girls in Green beat Zambia 3-2 in a friendly last week but now face an anxious wait to find out if they have made the cut for Pauw's final 23-player World Cup squad.
Reflecting on the possibility of travelling to Australia and New Zealand for this summer's showpiece tournament, Kiernan told Irish Football Fan TV: "I just think what’s meant to be will be and what’s for you won’t pass you so I’ve just got to chill and see what happens. I can’t control it now.
"As a young kid I always wanted to represent my country at a senior level so to have a chance of going to the World Cup is a dream come true. It’s a great group of girls and of course we’re very proud to wear the jersey."
This summer's World Cup represents the first time the Republic of Ireland will feature at a major women's tournament. Everton goalkeeper Courtney Brosnan played a crucial role in securing qualification, saving a penalty to help the Girls in Green clinch a 1-0 win against Scotland last October.
Pauw's side will host France in a friendly at Tallaght Stadium in Dublin on July 6 before flying Down Under, where they will take on hosts Australia in their first group stage game in Sydney.
