SOFA.. SO GOOD

Pauw selects girls for departure lounge

- MARK MCCADDEN

AT ONE point between television interviews in UCD’s 1,400-seater stadium yesterday, Vera Pauw took a time-out.

She wiped her eyes as she walked with an FAI official towards the centre-circle, took a swig from a bottle of water, composed herself and returned to face the cameras for more questions about her World Cup squad selection.

The emotional toll of the previous couple of days – and a lack of sleep – had taken its toll.

You see, Pauw can be very Dutch at times. She’s a straight-talker and pragmatic.

She is also resilient. Some of the tribulations she has overcome during her decorated career as a player and manager would have knocked the love of the game out of many of us.