Sinead Farrelly from Havertown has survived numerous obstacles in her soccer career but now has come out on top with a place on the Irish World Cup team, writes Jonathan Tannenwald for The Philadelphia Inquirer.

It looked like she would play her last soccer game in 2015 when she was in a major car crash.

In September 2021, Farrelly exposed an abuse scandal in women’s soccer.

She returned to the game this year when the 33-year-old joined Gotham FC.

She was invited to join the Republic of Ireland’s National team in April, then on Wednesday, she earned her place on the Irish World Cup team.

“It’s been really overwhelming,” Farrelly said. “it’s been hard, difficult, challenging, beautiful, awesome, and joyful. I just think it’s been all the things.”

Now, despite a broken arm received at a June 18 Gotham game, she’s thriving in a sport she loves after years of hard work and perseverance.

“It’s been such a parallel to what life is about, and so I just feel really grateful,” she said. “Every day is an opportunity for self-growth and just, like, be a better person, teammate. I’m excited to be here, and I’m taking it one day at a time.”

Read more about Sinead Farrelly in The Philadelphia Inquirer.