Another fantastic comeback from the team last week where we trailed Wexford 2-0 at half time but came back with a goal from Emily Corbet and a screamer from Melissa O’Kane to get a draw.

“I suppose there’s good and bad in relation to it. We shouldn’t be giving teams a 2 nil lead and making things extremely hard for ourselves. The good side of it is that we came out in the second half with a little bit more determination, a little bit more focus and actually overall, it’s probably a little bit disappointing that we didn’t get the third one. But again, it’s a good reaction from the players after going 2 nil down to not let heads drop and not get frustrated and keep playing the way they’ve been playing recently.”

Have the team shown a different side of themselves in the last 2 games, where we’ve trailed and maybe could have gone into our shells, but fought back to get something out of the game?

“Yeah they have. That mental strength again coming into play where there’s a little bit more belief in their ability now so going a goal behind doesn’t seem to shake them as much as it did in the earlier parts of the season where they would panic and force things. They stick to the game plan now and it’s nice to see that we’re having a good reaction to going behind.”

Other than going behind in those games, is that the type of character and performance you will be looking for from the team more often next year?

“Oh absolutely. It’s going to be the pure cornerstones of everything that we’re going to be built on for next season. It’s having that belief, determination and mental strength that’s going to be a vital part of any successful team and it’s going to be needed in abundance for us next season.”

Another big game for the last game of the season as we face Shelbourne in Tallaght. The teams have met 3 times this season but amazingly the home team hasn’t won a game on any occasion; do you feel that it’s time to put that right?

“I would hope so. We’re still going to try and attack the game as best we can. Obviously it’s Steph’s (Zambra) last game so I think the players will be eager to try and put on a good show and try to play some nice football. It’s always different when you have nothing to play for and you can go and play with a real free spirit.”

With it being the final game of the season and unfortunately having nothing but pride to play for, will you use it to give any of the younger players from the academy some minutes?

“Well we’re actually low on numbers this week. I suppose with Sav’s (McCarthy) injury this week and also having Maria Reynolds missing as she’s picked up a bug so she’s going to be out this week. So, we don’t really have many to choose from and we already have some academy players in the squad in Ella Kelly and Katie O’Reilly. It will be a time for the squad, really, on Saturday.”

Finally, Stephanie Zambra announced that Saturday will be her final game before she hangs up her boots. The club have offered free admission for the game, so wouldn’t it be brilliant and fitting to get a big crowd in to say goodbye to an icon of the women’s game in this country?

“Yeah and that is the true word, she is an icon. She’s an inspiration for so many young girls to play football. It was interesting to look at the video that the FAI had posted during the week where it was Abbie Larkin asking her questions in Abbotstown. It’s one of those things where when you’re there in the moment, you don’t realise the influence that you’re having but so many girls have come up playing football wanting to be a Steph Roche, and a Steph Zambra now. She’s inspired so many young players and I still think, and I hope this is only part of her journey and hopefully in the future she can join the dark side, the coaching side of things and give back to all the younger players coming through and pass on all her experience.”