Olivia’s proudest moment beckons

SHE has scored more international goals than Robbie Keane but for Northsider Olivia O’Toole, carrying the Olympic torch will be her greatest achievement.

The Sherriff Street soccer star, who won over 130 caps with the Irish women’s team, was recently named as one of the 41 Irish torch bearers who will take part in next months’ Olympic rally.

Speaking to Northside People, Olivia said she’s nervous, apprehensive and hoping that she won’t have to wear shorts on the big day.

“I haven’t got a clue what I’ll have to wear yet but it better not be shorts because I’ve legs like a coffee table,

? she laughed.

“I was shocked and taken aback to be one of those chosen to carry the torch in Ireland and to be able to carry it through Sherriff Street is all the more significant because it’s where I was born and bred.

“Carrying the torch is up there with anything I’ve ever achieved in football. It’s hard to believe I’ll be up there with Mohammad Ali and so many legends and famous people who have carried it before me.

“It will be a very proud day for me and for my family who have always been my number one supporters.

?

Olivia, who works in George’s Place Recreational Centre on Sherriff Street was nominated as a torch bearer by Dublin City Council.

O’Toole is one of an impressive list of Irish sporting stars who will be involved in the six-hour event on June 6, including Olympic gold medallists Ronnie Delany and Michael Carruth.

The final details of who she’ll be getting the torch from haven’t yet been revealed but the down-to-earth women’s soccer hero is sure of who she’d like to get the torch from if given a choice.

“I’d love to give it to or get it from Paul McGrath because he’s an absolute legend and a player who did so much for the Irish soccer team.

“Just thinking about the day makes me nervous. I just hope that I won’t let the torch drop or let the flame go out.

?

The 41-year-old will undoubtedly perform well under pressure given her inspirational international soccer career which she called time on in 2007.

Olivia racked up a staggering 54 goals for the girls in green during her time with the Irish squad, one more goal than Robbie’s Keane’s current record.

“I don’t care if Robbie beats my record in the European Championships if it’ll get us a win off Croatia,

? Olivia told Northside People.

“We’ve got the first round group from hell with Croatia, Spain and Italy so we’ll need anything we can get.

“It’s a big year for Irish football and also for sport so I’m delighted to be able to play a part in it in some way.

“I’m much too old to play soccer – you quickly realise that when you need to take paracetamol after playing for 90 minutes.

?

Still, Olivia says she would never complain having had a brilliant international career and being given the once-in-a-lifetime opportunity to carry the Olympic torch.

To put the cherry on top, Olivia will fly to watch Ireland play in Euro 2012 the day after the carries the torch through her beloved Sherriff Street.