2023 will be the biggest year for women’s football on this island, bar none.
Not only are we looking forward to Ireland’s first ever World Cup finals appearance, but the introduction of professional contracts in the club game here marks a huge step forward.
Not only does this mean that female players on pro deals are now entitled to the same minimum wage as their male counterparts (€430 for full-time players, €130 for part-timers).
READ MORE: 2023 predictions: Stephen Kenny / Men's National Team
But clubs that are both ambitious enough and sufficiently resourced will be able to demand compensation for departing players who are under such deals.
The sudden introduction of professional contracts hasn’t been universally welcomed, however, as some clubs simply don’t have the financial clout to fund professional contracts.
This will likely lead to an even wider divide between the haves and have nots.
Shamrock Rovers, on their return to the senior women’s game, have ruffled a few feathers with their recruitment policy, signing some of their likely rivals’ top players.
Despite that, it’s likely to be very competitive at the upper end of the table in the newly branded SSE Airtricity Women’s Premier Division.
The competition has joined the same structure as the Men’s Premier and First Divisions, and should benefit from greater exposure as a result.
The spotlight will be on the women’s game more than ever this year, as the build-up to next July’s Women’s World Cup kicks off with a training camp in February.
With co-hosts Australia, Olympic champions Canada and African giants Nigeria in their group, Vera Pauw’s side won’t be fancied by many to progress to the knockouts.
But as they showed home and away against both Finland and Sweden in qualification, there is a game-plan to neutralise the threat of opponents at all levels.
And no better manager than Pauw to devise that plan for the trip Down Under.
Don’t be surprised to see the Girls in Green claim a point against an Australian side that will be under huge pressure in a strange atmosphere in Sydney.
Aussie fans have already complained about the lack of tickets for home fans, with the suspicion being that locally-based Irishmen and women will make up a significant chunk of the attendance.
Talents such as Louise Quinn, Katie McCabe and Denise O’Sullivan have been crying out for a stage as big as this - and they can cement their reputations next summer.
Don’t be surprised if Pauw’s ‘Tigers’ are still in contention for a top-two spot when they face Nigeria in Brisbane in their final group game on July 31.
As for Pauw, she will have to face plenty of questions in the coming months about her long-term future, as her contract expires at the end of Ireland’s World Cup involvement.
Will she stay? Or will she be made an offer she can’t refuse elsewhere?
No doubt Jonathan Hill will have regular chats with the Dutchwoman in the New Year to gauge her thoughts on that particular issue.
VERDICT: The knockout stages should be beyond Ireland, but they won’t exit the World Cup without a fight.
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