It's a busy week for Irish soccer.
On Tuesday, our women's team got their bid to qualify for the UEFA Women's EURO 2021 got off to a positive start with a win over Montenegro at Tallaght Stadium. Although the performance of the girls in green wasn't at the level that had been expected, goals from Tyler Toland and Kate McCabe secured an important three points for Ireland.
Yesterday, it was announced that Dutch national
Vera Pauw would be taking over as manager of the team.
Tonight, it's the turn of Mick McCarthy's men's team, who will take on Switzerland in their own bid for Euros qualification. Before that game kicks off at 7.45pm, however, the women's game will once again be taking centre stage.
Team sponsor Three Ireland has arranged for a giant 20x20 flag to be brought onto the pitch at the Aviva Stadium – giving the campaign a huge and important platform.
The flag will be brought onto the pitch 15 minutes before the game begins, and will be in place while the national anthems are sung. The message will also be reinforced through Three's stadium advertising, which will be running throughout the match.
https://www.instagram.com/p/B18uK-Ni2R6/
The 20x20 campaign, which is also proudly supported by
Her, is an initiative aimed at boosting support, not just for women's soccer, but for sports of all disciplines.
As well as securing a commitment from media organisations to increase their coverage of women's sport, the campaign has been celebrating the many amazing role models to be found within the ranks of Irish sportswomen who inspire younger generations. As their slogan says: If She Can’t See It, She Can’t Be It.
https://www.instagram.com/p/BxO46ftnUlW/
But it's not just about organisations – 20x20 is also asking the public to do their part too by 'showing their stripes'.
You can do this by going to see a women's game – as more than 3,400 people did this week – and shouting about it on social media. The Ireland women's team will certainly need plenty of support when they return to Tallaght Stadium, with their new manager on board, on September 22 to take on group leaders Germany.
We often brag about being the best supporters in the world – now it's time to prove it.
