OPINION: ‘The Women’s English Football Team Should Be a Source of Inspiration, Not an Object of Ridicule’

I overheard the most infuriating sentence I’ve EVER heard in my life this week during a conversation about the FIFA Women’s World Cup. England were knocked out of the competition in the semi-final on Wednesday night and the next day I heard: “God, just when they finally got people to watch them, they go f**k it up like that.” Before later adding something along the lines of “how embarrassing it was” for them. Yes. Embarrassing. Can someone please explain to me how it is embarrassing, first of all to have the pride and honour of playing for your country? Secondly, how is it embarrassing to be representing your country at the World Cup? And not only that, but to have reached the semi-finals of the tournament? To say my blood is boiling right now is an understatement. Oh I’m sorry. I forgot that women were just playing football in the hopes that men would give them a bit of attention. How DARE they “f**k it up” just as they’d started to come into the spotlight?! Are you frickin' kidding me? Do you honestly think that the only reason these talented players have been training for months and years, and have put hours and hours of dedication and commitment into their sport, is purely for your amusement? These types of comments that have been made in the wake of the game which, in case you missed it, saw England lose 2-1 to Japan after an own goal in stoppage time, were disrespectful at the very least. That team should be returning home to England as heroes, not a source of ridicule. And honestly, I think they will as the English supporters have been behind them 110%. In fact, commentators in England have been heralding a golden era of women's football in England. The country has been swept up in the excitement of the World Cup and it truly feels like change is in the air. And then we come to Ireland. It’s the armchair critics of this country that need to get a grip. It’s disappointing that in a year that has had so many unbelievable female sporting achievements here – from Stephanie Roche to Katie Taylor, Irish basketball to underage soccer, and don’t even start about the Cork football and camogie players – people in Ireland still see women’s sport as just a bit of fun. Ah bit of ‘Ah look at the little girls trying to kick a ball, aren’t they great?’ The next time you feel like commentating on these games ask yourself: how proud would you be if the Irish men’s football team was in the World Cup semi-final? Imagine if it had been Robbie Keane who was so unfortunate to score that own goal like Laura Bassett did for England on Wednesday night? Would you be sitting here laughing at him the next day? No. And yes, I agree, you’d probably be a bit upset as a supporter, you'd be disappointed, annoyed even - but would you dare turn and laugh in the face of the Irish squad after all they had achieved? I sincerely doubt it. So take a long hard look at yourself before you comment on women in sport. And remind me again, when was the last time you played for your country in the World Cup semi-final?