Áine O'Gorman is backing women playing soccer in Ireland and is passionate about tackling the drop-out rate of girls in sport, but it is not something she can personally relate to.
"I think I just love football so much and you know nothing's really going to get in my way," she said.
The seasoned Irish international is not one for giving up, having amassed over a century of caps, even making a return after initially retiring from national duty in 2018.
The Wicklow native has now hung up the national jersey for good and is fully focused on reviving the fortunes of recently returned Shamrock Rovers, and is enjoying some of the benefits of having one clear priority.
Despite a significant recruitment drive following a nine-year absence from the women's senior game and a third place finish in 2023, the Hoops have struggled in the league this season and find themselves in sixth and some 19 points off current leaders Athlone Town.
"Obviously we're disappointed with how the season has gone - for all the work and preparation we put into the games early on, we didn't get the results we needed," explained O'Gorman.
"Out of the title run, lost on penalties to Galway in the All-Island Cup final and in extra-time against Shels in the semi-final of the FAI Cup shortly after."
Fortunes may be on the turn following their weekend result, a 3-3 draw with league leaders, putting a stop to hopes of the Midlanders of claiming the title on Sunday, and O'Gorman is hopeful for the club's prospects.
"I think there's a really good young group of players and I think those experiences will stand to them."
The former Irish international is also hopeful about the national team making the Euros in 2025 for the first time.
The Girls in Green will face Georgia next month after failing to progress directly to the tournament from the group stages of qualification despite a historic win over France, but O'Gorman is confident that a win is on the cards, at least in the first stage of the play-offs.
"Ireland have come through a really tough group and I think stands them in a good place for qualification."
"Georgia, we've got a good history against them. We've gotten good results," she added.
"I know Eileen Gleeson and the girls will be taking it one game at a time and not looking past that.
"Wales or Slovakia will be slightly more tricky opposition, but I'm quite confident that the girls can do it."
The 35-year-old admits that despite retirement, the nerves watching the women's side haven't dissipated just yet.
"I still get those pre-match nerves - especially the games against England."
As O'Gorman begins the step away from the game, which very typically includes punditry, coaching qualifications and work, she explains why nerves are higher on the other side of the pitch.
"Sometimes it's harder to watch, I think, than it is to play. You're just out of control as well. It's great to see the team develop and do so well, and hopefully that will continue to happen."
The FAI reported a 27% increase in women playing the game in Ireland since 2022. Qualification for the Euros in 2025 would undoubtedly continue the forward momentum following the World Cup campaign last year.
O'Gorman's love for the game, keeping her involved for the long haul, began by attending matches.
"When my dad brought me to Richmond Park to see the Irish women's team and there was probably 50 people in the crowd, that's obviously what got the fire in my belly."
With attendances at women's international matches increasing, including a first Aviva appearance which attracted nearly 36,000 people, the trend for increasing participation looks set to continue.
The Shamrock Rovers captain wants to emphasise that it is not about everyone making the international squad, the onus is on clubs, coaches and parents to ensure that the sport remains fun for young women or as was her case growing up, actually allowing girls to play.
"That doesn't mean you have to go on and play international football either, just gaining interest. I think most clubs in the country do have girl's teams now as well. I always say that you have to enjoy it first.
"I think that's something that's always the challenge for the parents and the coaches, keep things fresh and new and hopefully this resource can do that," O'Gorman says of the FAI's latest programme 'In Her Boots', aimed at keeping girls in sport.
A 2022 report by Sport Ireland on children's sport participation supports the notion that attending games and elevating the profile of women's sport may be key in keeping them involved.
Some 48% of girls surveyed quoted sports stars as their biggest inspirations to continue playing sport, exceeding those that quoted parents or coaches as a key influence, something O'Gorman has seen during her own journey in sport.
"'Can't see, can't be' is a campaign that I always go back to. Young girls having role models, has massively improved participation in sport"
"When I was playing and playing with the boys up until I was 13 or 14, my best friend was actually playing alongside me.
"I speak to her now when she probably regrets not continuing to play sport."
With O'Gorman endorsing the new programme, aimed at educating coaches and parents of players aged nine to 16, the tenacity to retain girls in sport is at the forefront of the agenda.
"That's the message that I always tell people, 'stick with it now it will stand by you, in your career, for your physical health, your mental health.'
"Look, we have made strides. We need to continue to work to keep girls and in sports and in football as well."
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