‘I'll be switching the TV off' - Euro play-off pain still raw for Ireland star
Denise O'Sullivan says she will turn the TV off during Euro 2025 - because the pain of Ireland's play-off heartache is still too raw.
The Girls in Green star may make an exception if there's a game featuring any of her North Carolina Courage teammates.
Otherwise, she will steer clear of coverage of the tournament - one that Ireland were favourites to reach when they drew Wales in last year's decider.
Having drawn 1-1 in Cardiff in Cardiff, they lost the return leg 2-1 at the Aviva Stadium.
'We've learnt a lot (from that defeat),' she said. 'It still hurts a lot because the pain hasn't gone from that game.
'I think I'll be switching the TV off, doing everything I can not to watch it but I have teammates from Courage playing in it.
'I know I'm saying I'll be switching the TV off but I'll watch to cheer them on. It's still devastating not to be there, for sure.'
O'Sullivan hopes to channel that pain when it comes to Ireland's Nations League promotion/relegation play-off next October.
Finishing second in League B to Slovenia, despite Tuesday's 1-0 win at Páirc Uí Chaoimh against the table-toppers, means it's a two-legged clash against one of Austria, Iceland, Belgium and Denmark for a spot in the top-tier next year.
Winning that tie and qualifying for League A in time for the World Cup qualifiers would guarantee Ireland, at the very least, a play-off shot at making Brazil in 2027.
The draw will be made on Friday and O'Sullivan said: 'It's another chance in October. We'll be ready for that. At least having another chance is a positive.'
'We have experience (from the Wales play-off) under our belt. I've heard the team names (of potential opponents), all high level so we'll have to be ready for that, but it's another chance for us.
'We want to be at the World Cup in Brazil. That defeat against Wales from last year can stand to us going into the play-off.'
O'Sullivan, meanwhile, is ready to step up and take on even more leadership responsibilities in the absence of retired stars Louise Quinn, Niamh Fahey, Diane Caldwell and Julie-Ann Russell.
'Losing Louise, Fahey, Diane and Julie-Ann, so many at the same time, is really tough on the team,' she said.
'So I think Katie (McCabe), Courtney (Brosnan), myself and a few others must take the responsibility of driving the team on.
'As the games continue, we'll continue trying to do that and get better at it.'
O'Sullivan will be available for Ireland's friendlies at the end of the month in the USA.
'It's my one week in the whole year I get off from Courage but that's okay. I'm happy to play because any chance I get playing for my country I want to be there. I'll be there,' she said.
'I'm excited. For once, I don't have to travel 20 hours. I won't have jet lag but the rest will.
'I'm looking forward to it. USA are a top, top team and we can go out to challenge ourselves. It will be a brilliant experience.'
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