When the bidding war inevitably ensues for the right to tell Julie-Ann Russell’s remarkable sporting story, some scriptwriters might wonder about one more chapter.
But Russell’s short retirement statement last Friday ensured that she exited on her own terms, with trademark class and dignity.
Her achievements, particularly in the last year, had caught the imagination of the country and elicited much emotion. It caught up to her last week. “It was super emotional. Getting some beautiful messages from folks I haven’t spoken to in years and obviously my current teammates in Galway United and Ireland. It was an emotional day.”
The talismanic attacker also concedes it was a difficult decision. “It was. Football has been in my life forever. It’s played a massive part throughout my whole life. Because I had such a fantastic year last year, and I was feeling great, it was difficult to make the decision.
“I think it’s the right time for me on a personal level. It’s nice to end on a high and bow out on my own terms. I am not getting any younger. I do want to have more children. I just think it was the right time. If I kept going any longer, I might end up resenting the sport if I wasn’t able to keep up and continue to make teams.”
Making that decision, to bow out gracefully, was a right that was hard-earned and one that the Moycullen native was proud of considering the success of last season. She lived the dream of every Irish person who has kicked a ball when she put one in the English net. There was a famous player of the match performance against the French in Cork, and a goal against Georgia to cap a comeback for the ages. In this vein of form, she had a difficult phone call to make to the incoming Irish boss.
‘Weight off my shoulders’
“I spoke to the new Ireland manager, Carla Ward. She seems like a lovely woman. I would have loved to have worked under her. I suppose after I got off the phone, I felt a weight off my shoulders. I remember saying to my husband, it just felt lovely to be able to end on my terms and be happy with what I’ve given to Ireland to end it on a high after the year I’ve had.”
Julie-Ann’s career has long been an inspiration to the coming generations, but her ability to juggle this with a professional career and a young toddler, the now famous Rosie, earned admiration from those outside footballing circles. She has more than earned her footballing sojourn.
“At the moment, I’m taking a complete break. I don’t think I’m ready to step in to anything from coaching or managing in any form. I think I need a complete and utter break from football. Galway United’s biggest supporter, that’s about it.”
With an outpouring of good wishes locally, nationally and internationally, one might wonder whether the striker had started to consider her legacy. It is perhaps an unfair burden that has been placed upon this golden generation of female talent, women that not long ago had to advocate and agitate for basic standards at an international level.
Probably not surprisingly, Russell has not had the time for this introspection. “To be totally honest, I haven’t really been able to reflect properly. I think it will hit me in a couple of months or even in a couple of years. Obviously, I’ve gotten some lovely messages and been told so much about the legacy but it hasn’t really hit me.
“When I look back from when I was growing up to where football is at now from a women’s point of view, it is chalk and cheese. It’s lovely to see the progression. I’ve been up at Drom with Salthill Devon on a Saturday morning, and I’ve seen the number of young girls up there just playing. It’s amazing to see it. Seeing the progression is brilliant.”
There was also not an inconsiderable amount of recent success with Galway United in recent seasons, that augmented a hugely successful club career that saw Russell win honours with Peamount and play in a formidable UCD Waves side managed by Eileen Gleeson. She also showed her talents on a global stage, playing at high levels in the US and Australia. Nonetheless, there was an evident satisfaction for her in finishing up in maroon.
‘Finishing in maroon’
“It was incredible to finish my club career in Galway, being from here and living here. It is something special. I wasn’t always able to play for Galway growing up. At the start, with Salthill Devon, they didn’t enter a team into the national league when it first started so I had to move to Peamount. It was lovely to end my career here.
“Obviously to have a really successful season last year, retaining the All-Island Cup, being kind of pipped towards the end with the league. In terms of the future, that team is only going from strength to strength, the talent is incredible. It’s such a young team as well, I think the last couple of seasons are really going to stand to them for this year. I have really high expectations for the team this year and I’m just really looking forward to seeing them shine.
“Looking back from where it started, to where it is now, it’s incredible. I think the standard is getting better every single year. The fact that TG4 are covering more games this year. I think all the clubs have really stepped up from a media point of view. People are seeing and back in the day that wasn’t the case. Young girls now, and young guys, are able to have role models. Just even from a training point of view, the training has improved. The amount of training on the pitch, and strength and condition, it has definitely improved.
In this time, there has been a growing emphasis on female participation in sports. One of the phrases that has cut through, from the 20/20 Vision campaign is, ‘If she can’t see it, she can’t be it’. Julie-Ann Russell, like her long-time teammate Niamh Fahey, has ensured that a whole generation of girls from Galway and beyond can dream. Her advice for them is simple and beautiful.
“As long as you are enjoying it and playing with a smile on your face. It’s hard to walk away when you’re having fun. My message always to young children, playing any sport, is just to enjoy it. That’s it.”
The city, the county and the country enjoyed watching Julie-Ann live her dreams and inspire more. Her fast, full-blooded and free brand of football was as joyful as it was effective. She may struggle to take stock of her own legacy, but that is because such intangibles live in the heads and the hearts of her community of family, friends and fans. Those hearts are full.
