THE dad of Ireland women’s hero goalscorer Amber Barrett has hailed his daughter’s impact that could shoot the country to another World Cup.
Amber (30), from Milford, near Creeslough, came off the bench last Friday to score a last gasp winner against the Netherlands in Páirc Uí Chaoimh, Cork, that set up Ireland for an historic finish.
No senior Ireland soccer team has topped of their World Cup qualification campaign group – but that is exactly what can happen tonight (Tuesday) thanks to Donegal danger woman Amber.
Her Ireland side are the bottom seeds in the group, but if they beat France in Grenoble in a few hours’ time, they will qualify automatically for next year’s World Cup in Brazil.
Her father Shaun Paul, who is a former GAA manager of Donegal underage sides, said: “It’s brilliant, there’s always great excitement to see Amber coming on the pitch.
“It was just brilliant to see her score – but that’s what she’s there to do.”
Amber Barrett in her childhood with her father Shaun Paul. Photo Brian McDaid.
Shaun Paul added: “When the group was formed, Ireland would’ve been considered the fourth [best] team in the group.
“But a victory now [against France] gets Ireland through to the World Cup in Brazil. It’s unbelievable, really.
“Hopefully the girls can get a bit of luck. I’ll be watching on TV.”
It is not the first time that Amber has scored a famous goal for her country.
In October 2022, she netted a history-making goal that sent the Girls in Green to a first World Cup.
It gave Ireland a 1-0 win over Scotland at Hampden Park in the Women’s World Cup play-off.
Her heroics meant it was the first time that a senior Ireland team qualified for a World Cup since the men’s 2002 World Cup in Japan and South Korea.
Amber’s goal came just days after an horrific explosion in Creelough killed 10 victims – and she personally knew many of them due to the family connections of her mum Jacqui, who is from Creeslough.
When she scored that golden goal for Ireland four years ago, Amber immediately sank to her knee and kissed her black armband in memory of the victims.
She then spoke on TV and dedicated the win to the “10 beautiful souls who perished” and said: “I know Creeslough like the back of my hand.
“My grandparents were Cresslough, born and bred, and I spent my whole upbringing there over summers and Christmases.
“I know the people who died in the tragedy, I know people who were affected by the tragedy, and I know people who were first on the scene of the tragedy.”
Hero Ireland goalscorer Amber Barrett, from Donegal.
She added: “This is the best day of my life in football, but when you put it in perspective, it doesn’t scratch the surface of what happened in Creeslough.
“This result, that game, that goal, this reward is dedicated to those 10 beautiful souls who unfortunately perished and for all their families. This is for Creeslough, this is for Donegal.”
Proud dad Shaun Paul said at the time: “What she said really came from the heart. I was very emotional when she spoke. Amber would’ve known the victims.
“Speaking with her over the last few days, I know that she has heartfelt thoughts for the people of Creeslough.”
Amber grew up playing Gaelic in her garden with her brothers Luke and Kane and soccer with local sides like Milford United and Lagan Harps.
The young GAA star did not play organised soccer until she went to Maynooth College to become a teacher.
Amber Barrett in action for Donegal.
She got a scholarship and played with the Ireland universities’ team, as well as playing GAA for the Donegal women’s team.
But she opted for soccer full-time and played for League of Ireland side Peamount United.
Qualified teacher Amber moved to Germany in 2019 to play for FC Koln and joined current side Turbine Potsdam in July 2022, then switched to redemptive stint Standard Liege in Belgium and has been with French club Strasbourg in France since January.
If Amber helps Ireland to a win tonight, women’s manager Carla Ward says it will “be one of the biggest stories in world football”.
Amber’s supporters can cheer her on for France v Ireland with live coverage on RTÉ 2 and RTÉ Player today from 7.30pm.