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Irish Mirror
Irish Mirror
Sport
Michael Turnbull

GAA star Sarah Rowe puts opponent on rear in soccer return

Multi-sport star Sarah Rowe performed a brilliant Cruyff turn during her debut for Melbourne Victory against Perth Glory last night. Rowe performed the move during the latter stages of the match and left her opponent lying on the turf.

The Mayo native joined the A-League Women's football club on an injury replacement contract as she eyes a shock call-up to Ireland’s World Cup squad ahead of the tournament later this year.

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Rowe, who has spent the last five seasons with AFLW side Collingwood, made her Mayo debut in 2012 but was unavailable in 2022 due to her Australian commitments. She was also part of Shelbourne's double winning soccer side in 2016 after earning her first Ireland cap a year previously. She has also trained with Vera Pauw's side in recent years.

Rowe is in the advantageous position of being able to manage the three different sports. The A-League campaign ends in April, while the AFLW season starts later in 2023 leaving the World Cup sandwiched in the middle. In a recent interview with AAP she said the dream is to earn a spot in the Ireland squad for the tournament in Australia.

“One can dream," Rowe said. "I didn't think that there would be an option to get back into the squad again, having been away for so long.

"Step one was getting back to playing soccer again, step two was getting signed to a club, which is Victory, step three is getting into the (Ireland) squad and then performing week in, week out.

"As a player you can never think far ahead with things like that because injuries and everything needs to go right for you.

"One can dream and obviously you always think big as a sportsperson but for now my focus is just on Victory."

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