Published: Wednesday, 25th August, 2010 5:00pm

World Cup-bound Byrne takes Sportstar of the Month Award

IRISH underage soccer star Jennifer Byrne makes history this weekend when she turns out for the first ever Irish ladies' squad to qualify for the FIFA World Cup - and just days before departing for the Caribbean her outstanding achievements over recent months have been rewarded in the shape of the Westmeath Independent Sports Star of the month award for April.

The 17 year-old, from Ballinahown, travels to Trinidad & Tobago tomorrow (Thursday) as Noel King's Ireland under-17s get ready to compete at the FIFA Under-17 World Cup Finals, which begin for the 'Girls in Green' next Monday against Brazil at the Larry Gomes Stadium in Arima, Trinidad.

Jennifer receives the Westmeath Independent Sports Star of the month award for her part in helping kickstart Ireland's bid to reach the World Cup, when in late-April, her team became the first Irish ladies' side to qualify for the UEFA European Championships.

Ireland achieved this feat by emerging from a four-team Elite Qualifying Phase in Ukraine that included Poland, Sweden and the host nation (Ukraine).

Jennifer - who plays club football with Bealnamulla/Athlone Town - played a solid game at centre-back in the final and crucial qualifying phase match against Sweden, and has since gone on to cement her place at the heart of the Irish defence.

The Athlone native was outstanding as Ireland defied the odds to finish second at the European Championships in Switzerland in May, when they shocked red-hot favourites Germany in the semi-finals (it was a four-team tournament), before losing 1-0 to an impressive Spain in the final.

Ireland's outstanding runners-up finish at the European Championships automatically guaranteed them a place at the World Cup, where they have been drawn in a group alongside Brazil, Canada and Ghana.

Jennifer netted the winning goal in last week's warm-up match against England under-19s in Manchester, and is overjoyed to be part of the 21-strong squad travelling to Trinidad & Tobago this week.

"It's hard to believe I'm going to the World Cup to play for Ireland," she admitted when receiving her Westmeath Independent Sports Star of the month award on Tuesday.

"It's a bit surreal. It's very hard explain it to people, but it's a great feeling, and it's going to be amazing to play for Ireland at a World Cup," she added.

The Ballinahown starlet admits Ireland have been drawn in a difficult group, but defiantly says they will give it everything.

"It's a tough group, there's no doubt about it, but we're fairly confident we can do ourselves justice. Two teams come out of the group and go into the quarter-finals, so we'll try our best and see where it gets us. I can't wait for the experience, to be honest, and everyone in the squad is rearing to go," said Jennifer.

Ireland's first game is on Monday against Brazil, before they face one of the pre-tournament favourites, Canada, next Thursday (September 9).

Their Group D campaign will conclude against Ghana four days later at the Dwight Yorke Stadium in Scarborough, Tobago, and Jennifer says Ireland are ready to do the country proud.

"I think we've proved over recent months that we can compete with the best in Europe and do well, but we know it's going to be entirely different at the World Cup. It's going to be great to face teams such as Brazil, Canada and Ghana, it's very different for us, but we're ready to do well. It's great to still have Noel King in charge of the team because it's his last involvement with the Ireland ladies' set-up before commiting full-time to the Ireland Mens' under-21 job. He's a brilliant manager and has us ready for the challenge," she said.

Jennifer also said she was "delighted" to receive the Westmeath Independent Sports Star of the month award for April, saying: "It's great to be recognised locally and the Westmeath Independent has been a great support of what I've tried to do in recent months, so I'm very thankful for that."