In a big summer for women’s football, it was undoubtedly one of the feel-good stories.
Northern Ireland, at their first major tournament, backed by a superb and vociferous travelling support.
The images of green and white draped across Southampton’s St Mary’s Stadium during the group stages of Euro 2022 will live long in the memory – not least for Durham’s Sarah Robson.
For while the GAWA didn’t pick-up a point, the experience was more than enough for the side.
“When we were there, it was just madness,” Robson explained.
“It was a different level of competition to what we’d ever seen before. On the pitch we were a little bit out of our depths at times, but off the pitch it was nice that finally we got the reward and recognition and got to compete in one of the best events in the world.
“It’s an amazing experience that we’ll never forget again – and it’s given us a lot of motivation and fire in our belly to get back there again.
“We’re all working harder than ever and we’ve got a chance in the next Euros – and that’s what we’re aiming for.”
The Euros also brought some well-earned praise for Robson herself – who was hailed as the ‘best centre back’ in the group stages of the competition while also earning plaudits from the pundits.
So how did she react to that?
“Of course it’s nice, but I never play football to get individual recognition.
“But I know myself I’ve worked hard over the last year, training twice a day as well as having a full-time job.
“It was my aim to go onto the world stage and make sure I wasn’t embarassed – and at the end of the day it all paid off. I don’t feel like I was ever embarassed, other than a few nutmegs off Carolina Graham Hansen!
“Other than that I was able to compete with the best in the world and personally, I’m really proud of that.
“I just wish as a team we had got a win, a draw or something out of the tournament when it comes to results – that would have had an even bigger impact.”
But while the euphoria of the Euros remains in the memory, the Northern Irish national side have had to adapt to more routine surroundings in recent times.
“We were brought down to earth last week – we went to Luxembourg and there was about 100 people at the game,” said Robson.
“That’s all Kenny [Shiels, manager] talked about. It’s time to find your self-motivation again, because you went all summer being motivated by 6000 Northern Irish GAWA shouting your name, and now you’re back to normal.
“We want to live those moments forever again. We want to keep selling out Windsor Park and growing.”
Now back with her club, Robson is targeting more results which she feels Durham’s hard work has warranted.
For while the side only have one point to their name thus far, the midfielder knows there is more to come.
“We’ve actually been playing really well, and probably playing better football than we have over the last few years.
“We’re better than we were before and the girls and the whole club deserve being able to push forward.”
Durham have been well-backed in their league games to date, and for Robson, there can be no greater motivation than seeing a packed-out Maiden Castle.
“We really need them,” she said.
“When you come out and you know they’re there – and you know they’re paying money to watch you – that gives you no greater motivation and pushes you on.
“We hate when we go away and we have to go and apologise for losing, because those people have taken time and spent their money to come and follow us.
“We want to win, and we want to do it for the fans.”
