Republic Of Ireland manager Vera Pauw has praised Irish female footballers for paving the way for pay equality in the sport.
Just over five years ago the women's national team threatened to strike in a dispute with the FAI over poor conditions faced by the squad.
Since then, the support around the Girls in Green have improved considerably and they now find themselves one win away from a World Cup play-off.
Last year, the FAI announced that both the men's and women's national senior teams would be given equal pay.
Pauw believes this progress is down to the individuals within women's football.
She said: “The conditions to develop came from individuals who wanted to give everything to their sport to [become] a global movement that creates opportunities for all," the coach said at the launch of RTE's Euro 2022 coverage.
“This tournament will show that when you create circumstances in which players and teams can develop, then you will get top athletes and you will get top performances.
“I think it's been more the women waking up the world than anything else. If you look at Ireland, it's five years ago that those brave women of our team stood up and said "no longer".
“That action turned into an attitude from our association that we're not walking behind the others, but we're taking the lead. If you look at equal pay, the Dutch FA have only now announced that they are going to give equal payment to the players from this tournament onward.
“It is up to the associations to create gender equality, and the brave women in Ireland have stood up in a time when nobody stood up. Everybody took the way it was because we all accepted that were a minority sport, even though we were already for ages the biggest sport in the world for women.
“I think that is something that we can be proud of. The coaches and our players are giving everything to show Ireland, and Irish girls especially, if you go for it, you get something.
“If you're not treated equally, you have to stand up for yourself. I think that message is so much more powerful than the tournament - the tournament will just reinforce that.”
Speaking at the launch of RTÉ’s Euro 2022 coverage, Louise Quinn said: “I feel like there’s no stopping us.
“It’s such a strong, up and coming sport. Once the opportunities are given, it’s just going to keep rising. You can see that happening across the board in the Women’s Super League and Champions League. You will see talent in the European Championship”
Pauw has said she thinks it will be easy to fill Tallaght Stadium for Ireland’s crucial World Cup qualifier against Finland.
Ireland’s record-equalling 9-0 win away to Georgia on Monday has set up a massive clash in September against Finland. A win would secure a World Cup play-off spot, Ireland’s first since 2008.
“I think it’ll be easy to fill the stadium.
“It will be massive. The fans always give us an extra push in those difficult moments. We expect those moments to be there against Finland. Let’s fill the stadium and get everyone behind us to push us over the finish line.”
Huge crowds have attended Ireland’s qualifiers against Slovakia and Georgia, as well as their historic victory over Australia last September. Ireland defender Louise Quinn is also desperate to book a spot at the finals in Australia and New Zealand next year.
“The opportunity to be on the world stage is massive,” said Quinn.
“It’s a dream of ours. We’ll be hoping it’s us very soon. We are on the right track and September is massive for us.”
READ NEXT :
Former garda jailed for sickening 'alcohol-fuelled' assaults on women
Rat infestation found at child detention centre housing Ana Kriegel's killers
Hopes of justice for Michaela McAreavey dashed as linked case thrown out
Reality star Paddy Doherty says Joe Joyce 'did not intend to kill anyone'
Met Éireann predict surge in temperatures to arrive in early July forecast
