Quick-fire double high for ambitious Erin McLaughlin after World Cup selection disappointment

After the low of missing out on the World Cup finals came a quick-fire double high for Erin McLaughlin - winning the WPD with Peamount last weekend was quickly followed by her Ireland recall.

McLaughlin, 20, was pushing for inclusion in Vera Pauw's squad for Australia but missed out on the final cut.

Despite her disappointment, the Donegal-born striker responded by helping the Peas to win a first title in three years.

Her performances merited a call-up from Ireland interim boss Eileen Gleeson for the back to back European Nations League qualifiers against Albania.

McLaughlin made her Ireland debut in the warm-up game against Zambia, after her squad inclusion for the first time for the Morocco game last November.

"Not making the World Cup squad was a big disappointment," she acknowledged. "But it was an achievement in itself getting that far.

"It was all about the experience. I know what the standards are now and that I have to raise my game to be part of it. It's great going into this camp knowing what's expected of you.

"Coming back into club football, the goal was to win the League and we've done that. The whole experience of the last few months has really stood to me."

McLaughlin joined Peamount ahead of last season and James O'Callaghan's side finished third behind back to back title winners Shelbourne.

Shamrock Rovers' return to the League saw five Peamount players move from Greenogue to Tallaght, including Aine O'Gorman and Stephanie Zambra.

McLaughlin had her own decision to make. "Other clubs had been on," she said. "But it was always going to be Peamount for me.

"I enjoyed every minute of last season. I felt at home. I made the decision to stay and have never looked back.

"Even in pre-season there was a burning desire among us to go on and do great things. I think we knew we were destined to win it.

"I knew there was something special there and thankfully we worked hard and did the business.

"Going into the season as underdogs suited us down to the ground. It was exactly what we wanted.

"The likes of Freya Healy, who is 15, and 17-year-olds Jess Fitzgerald and Ellen Dolan stepped up and it was class to see the youth of the club doing so well."

There were emotional scenes at the final whistle last Saturday when Peamount's 2-0 win against Wexford guaranteed the title with two games remaining.

"It felt amazing to get over the line," said McLaughlin. "I'm buzzing at the prospect of playing Champions League football next year. It's a huge lift for us."

In her third year of four studying primary school teaching in Maynooth, McLaughlin's plan is to eventually follow the rest of the Ireland squad into the pro ranks.

"It's great to see how many girls are playing pro, they're playing every day and it brings the standard up," said McLaughlin, the only WPD player included for the end of month fixtures.

"My huge ambition is to go pro but I'm focusing on finishing my teaching degree. I think I can establish myself doing both for now - but the time will come when I'll just have to go for it.

"But it's nice to see there's still someone from the League getting in there - and there are others pushing for places. 'Eilo' oversees it all so she knows what's going on."