Vera Pauw has promised to make Ireland proud of her side at this summer’s World Cup, after admitting that cutting her squad was the “worst day” of her career.
The Girls in Green boss - an ex-Scotland, Netherlands, Russia and South Africa chief - also described her 23-strong group as the most balanced squad she ever managed.
Pauw yesterday confirmed her final-23 for next month’s tournament in Australia and New Zealand, and spoke of her heartache at omitting some key players.
Birmingham City midfielder Jamie Finn, a regular in qualification, will travel, but only as one of three ‘training’ players, along with goalkeeper Sophie Whitehouse and defender Harriet Scott.
Fitness concerns meant there was no room for Leanne Kiernan, Aoife Mannion and Megan Campbell.
Looking ahead to the World Cup, Pauw said: “I’m so sure that we are going to make everybody proud.
“If we can make it out of the group, we go into every game win – but we also know that we play Australia, Canada and Nigeria.
“We know we have to be realistic, but we do everything in that.
“With the players we have now, it will not be just keeping them (the opposition) away, because we have too much quality on the pitch.
“What balance is, is that the players that need freedom can get freedom because they’re backed up, and that is so strong in our team now.”
Pauw and her assistant Tom Elms spoke to each axed player and explained why they didn’t make the squad.
“I spoke to Louise Quinn and she said she got hit by the pain more than the celebration of making it,” said the Ireland manager.
“That shows how strong we have built together and how close we are. I had the hard task to be responsible for the final decision.
“It’s the worst day in my career. Not the best. Yesterday was the worst and hopefully from today it will become better.”
She added: “I’ve never experienced this before. It’s the bond that I have with these players, it’s the hard work.
“Also how they stood behind me in difficult times and how the FAI stood behind me. How Ireland has embraced me. Everything together.
“Telling players that really stood up for you that they are not going to the World Cup and breaking their dreams, yeah.”
