Niamh Fahey had considered retirement but is now ready to fight to defend her place in Ireland.
The Liverpool defender pondered whether to hang up his shoes after the World Cup.
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Eventually she decided to continue playing, but due to calf problems she has not represented her country since.
In her absence, Celtic’s Caitlin Hayes has made a big impression, while Manchester United’s Aoife Mannion, who missed the World Cup with a knee injury, has also made a splash.
But the Galwegian is ready to return to selection after earning his first call-up under manager Eileen Gleeson.
Mr Fahey, 36, said: “I got a call from Eileen a few days ago to say she was back, so I was really excited.
“After the World Cup, I had a tough time with injuries and missed all games. But I’m happy to be back.
“It’s a new start with a new group. There are no guarantees in life.
“It’s a very competitive team, one of the strongest teams we’ve ever had. Let’s see how this week goes.
“I have to train hard and we’ll see how it goes this weekend.
“There’s a lot of quality here so we’ll have to train hard and see what happens.
“Caitlyn has performed great since coming in, the whole unit has played well and I can only control what I can control.
“It won’t be easy, and I’m not responsible for the selection.”
On her retirement, she said: “You keep asking that question. That day will come, but it’s not yet.
“After the World Cup I was thinking, ‘Let’s see how pre-season goes, see where I am at Liverpool, whether I’ll play or not.’
“It’s clear that I need to play for my club first. I had a good pre-season before the injury.
“It was just a calf injury and it was the story of my life. It had been going on since last year and was a re-tear of that injury.
“Coming into the World Cup I felt a lot of pressure, but I pushed myself to achieve it.
“Maybe I didn’t get enough rest after that.
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“I probably needed a couple more weeks, but I wanted to get back to Liverpool and give it my all in pre-season.
“But unfortunately I picked up the injury in a pre-season game against Manchester United and it came back again.
“Even though he was injured, it’s not like he’s coming back quickly.
“So it was a frustrating time. Again. But I think you have to go through the process, just like any other game of football.
“I’ve been through it and I’m glad the calf injury is gone, so that’s a credit to them.
“Obviously now I’m back in the starting team at Liverpool and I’m progressing well. I feel fit and healthy again. I’m doing well. I didn’t think too far ahead. I don’t think that happened.
“Rather, I will focus on my club first and see how it goes and if I do well enough I will be selected for the Ireland squad.
“It’s always been that process and that’s where I stand now.
“I don’t think too far ahead because no one knows what will happen in the future.
“But for now I am fit, healthy and playing at the club week in and week out.
“That’s the position I’m in now and I’m happy to be back in the green jersey.”
rebound
In her absence, Ireland bounced back from the acrimonious departure of manager Bela Pow and won all six of their Nations League games under Gleeson.
And the former Gaelic footballer couldn’t help but feel jealous at missing out on the opening game against Northern Ireland at the Aviva Stadium.
But she still hopes to be there until her next outing.
And in the meantime, she is enjoying playing in front of the four-sided Tallaght Stadium for the first time against Italy next Tuesday in Florence, followed by Wales next Tuesday.
Fahey said: The girls did a great job to qualify for the top spot.
“It’s going to be a difficult group, but that’s where we want to be and where the big games are going to be.
“But obviously, I’m happy for the girls and the work they’ve done because now we’re in the top tier and we have a much better path to qualification than if we hadn’t done it.” Because it’s easier.”
“There are tougher challenges ahead, we all know that, you can only beat the players in front of you, and that’s not easy in football, that can never be taken for granted.
“Eileen and all the players did a great job of securing the top spot, so it was great to see that.
“I watched the game against Northern Ireland at the Aviva and it was unbelievable.
“It was tough to see because I wanted to be there too.
“I’ve never played there, but last time there were 35,000 fans.
“I think it was an incredible experience and I hear that there are plans to come back, so I’m very happy.
“Tallaght was so exciting before, I can’t imagine what the atmosphere will be like with a capacity of 10,000 people.
“It’s become a fortress for us as well, and that’s another motivation for us.
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“We’re going to get Tara’s Roar going because we’re in front of our home fans.
“I can’t wait, it’s going to be a good game against Wales. It’s going to be a bit tough being in the neighborhood so I’m looking forward to it.”