O'Sullivan enjoying Scottish adventure

WITH a Scottish Women’s Premier League medal already in her pocket and a Scottish Cup final to look forward to, it’s fair to say that Cork native Denise O’Sullivan has enjoyed her time in Scotland so far.

Republic of Ireland international O’Sullivan joined Glasgow City in July this year from Cork Women’s FC as Eddie Wolecki-Black looked to improve his squad ahead of a Champions League battle.

She made a scoring debut in a 2-0 Glasgow derby victory over Rangers and has since scored three more goals, including a vital strike in her sides UEFA Women’s Champions League victory over Standard Liege.

That victory set up a last 16 “Battle of Britain” clash with Arsenal, who also boast Republic of Ireland internationals in the shape of Emma Byrne, Yvonne Tracey, Niamh Fahey and also former Ireland international Ciara Grant but 19-year-old O’Sullivan doesn’t think it will give her an advantage going into the tie.

She said: “They’re very good players and I know a bit about them. Arsenal are a fantastic team and I don’t think knowing about a few players is going to make much of a difference to me to be honest but it’s going to be a very tough game but we’re just happy to be in the last 16.”

O’Sullivan helped her side wrap up the SWPL with a 7-0 thrashing off Aberdeen having arrived back in Scotland following international duty where she scored in a 3-0 victory over Slovenia.

Republic of Ireland were handed a tough draw for the qualifiers having been drawn in a group with European Champions Germany as well as Russia, Croatia, Slovenia and Slovakia.

Results so far have been good with Ireland unbeaten so far with two wins and a draw although they do still have to face the top two seeds and O’Sullivan believes she and her teammates have put themselves into a good position.

She said: “I think we’re in a good position now. I know we drew 1-1 with Croatia and we probably should have beaten them. Our aim is to come second place so hopefully we get that and maybe there will be a bit of luck for us to get a runners up position.”

Having played in both Scotland and Ireland she admits it’s a better standard in Scotland but sees no reason why the game in Ireland can’t follow in the footsteps of Scotland.

She said: “It’s more physically and technically better here and it’s just a step ahead. The pace of the game is faster than in Ireland.

“In the past few years Scotland have really came up in women’s football and Ireland are not quite there yet but I think in another few years if we can get the younger generations coming up and there’s some great players there and hopefully we get a bit of money pumped into it and it becomes better.”

O’Sullivan didn’t get a chance to watch the FAI Women’s Cup final between Raheny United and Castlebar Celtic, where Raheny ran out 3-2 winners at the Aviva Stadium and the Glasgow City star says it shows how far the game has come.

She said: “It’s great that it was on RTE and in the Aviva. I never thought a cup final in Ireland would be in there and that’s another thing people are hearing about a women’s game on in the Aviva so hopefully that will attract attention.”

O’Sullivan has impressed since her summer move but her future isn’t set in stone despite holding talks to extend her stay in Glasgow for at least one more season.

She said: “I’ll be going back to Ireland at the end of the season but I’ve been talking to the manager about staying on for another season so I’ll just go back home and talk to my parents and my family about it and see what happens but hopefully I’ll be back here next year.”