Republic of Ireland ace Denise O’Sullivan makes incredible gesture to her brothers ahead of 2023 World Cup
DENISE O'Sullivan has credited her footballing toughness from her time playing the game on the streets with her brothers.
And with Ireland just one week away from their first ever World Cup appearance, the Cork native looked back at some of her earlier memories playing the beautiful game.
O'Sullivan spoke about playing on a boy's team as a child and how it gave her confidence.
The North Carolina Courage star, who is know for her tenacity and confidence on the ball spoke with Ireland legend Niall Quinn for Soccer.com.
She paid an incredible gesture to her brothers as she credited them for helping her become a tougher footballer.
The 29-year-old Cork star told Quinn that her devlopment started at grassroots level.
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She said: "I think growing up. I started playing when I was six years old. I always had a ball at my feet.
"I started playing at a boy's team, so I think that's where I got my confidence from - my bit of toughness - I know people say I'm small but I'm aggressive. I think that was from playing with my brothers, and street football.
"I think that technical ability, and being able to get on the ball the whole time - I think that's where it came from - Your job in midfield is to get on the ball, so you just have to be brave.
"I think I am a brave player on the pitch whether I make mistakes or not. I keep trying to get on the ball and create whatever I can for the team."
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Denise is one of ten siblings all from Knocknaheeny in Cork, where she recently got a huge send-off party for the World Cup.
Fans of all ages lined up to chat, ask for autographs and get photos with the star.
Denise's American boyfriend, James Hamblin, was at the event marking it his first time ever in Cork.
He said: "This is incredible. It's awesome to see the community really get behind Denise and the team as a whole going into this World Cup.
"The last year's been really cool, she just had her 100th cap for her national team, also her 100th cap for the NWSL, her professional league in the States.
"It's been a really exciting year for her and I'm going over to follow them around Australia as well.
"That first game against Australia is meant to be over 80,000 people so I can't wait."