While Anna Patten was not born in Ireland she wears the green jersey with as much pride as anyone. In many ways Patten represents an Irish identity in the modern world, she is part of one of the largest diasporas and almost certainly the proudest.
Since declaring for Ireland the Aston Villa centre back has become a reliable mainstay in the Irish backline. She has helped to usher in a new era of Irish centre back after Irish defensive heroes of the past have hung up their boots recently. Niamh Fahey, Louise Quinn and Diane Caldwell have all retired in just the past year.
Patten took the time to speak exclusively with The Halfway Line about her Irish heritage and the pride she feels when she pulls on the Irish jersey.
‘It was so special’ Patten recalls France goal
When you think of Anna Patten in an Ireland shirt, one moment stands out. So we had to take the chance to hear about that goal against France at Páirc Uí Chaoimh. The 26 year old talked us through that special moment.
“I just think that game in general was just the best” she beams. “It was the first time that I’d played in Cork. I think it was such a nice way to round off that Group A [of the] Nation’s League because it was such a hard group for us, but to come out with a win and just everything seemed to be working.”
“Denise [O’Sullivan] and Julie-Ann [Russell] had already scored two great goals and I remember thinking, right, it’s 2-1 here. Should we go up, or should we just stay back and make sure we don’t concede?
“I saw Eilo [Eileen Gleeson] being like [gesturing waving forward] and I was like all right!” Patten smiles at the recollection.
“There was a great delivery in from Meg [Megan Connolly].
“But I do think it might have been an own goal if I’m being completely honest, but UEFA gave it to me, I’m taking it! It was so special.”
“In my interview after I got to dedicate it to my grandad, he was a major reason why I chose the play for Ireland. I felt like he was looking down watching me. He wasn’t a big football guy, but I remember he’d always want me to score goals. I think he was with me on the fact that they [the forwards] get all the praise and you [the defenders] don’t!”
Patten spoke about the treasured advice she got from her grandfather, saying “He called me this one time, he says ‘what you need to do on a corner is you need to sit further back and sprint in, like this!’ He was trying to give me these tactics, which was just like the sweetest thing.”
“When I scored that goal, it was really special, and it was a lovely moment. To dedicate it to my grandad was great, and my mum was in the crowd and yeah, it was a really special memory.
“That whole buzz of that game was so great. The fans were unbelievable we had quite a lot there, and you could really feel them with every goal, tackle and counter attack that we had. They were right behind us.”
Ireland recently picked up another big victory in Cork, beating Slovenia 1-0. When asked about playing more in Cork, she smiled:
“Well, we want Cork more! Yeah! Nothing beats playing at the Aviva. But I think it’s special to just have one or two games in the season, because we all really enjoy going there [Cork].”
Playing for Ireland is ‘the greatest honour’ states Patten
Ireland is clearly a point of immense pride for Patten who qualifies to play for Ireland through her grandparents. Patten spoke eloquently about why wearing the emerald green is so special, she waxed lyrical,
“I just think it’s the greatest honour that you can have in your career, putting on that green jersey. Louise Quinn said it as she left and retired away from the team, and it really stuck with a lot of us, and certainly me, and she’s not wrong.”
Patten spoke about playing for Ireland despite not being born there, explaining that “I hope it’s not [different], but from outsiders looking in, they might not feel like we feel the same pride or honour to wear that green jersey, but I really feel like we do.
“I think what’s so special for all of us players that weren’t born there, but we can qualify through our ancestors, is that we’re doing it for them as well and I think there’s something so great in that.
“My grandparents, like my grandad’s passed away now, but my granny and my grandad, they’re two of my favourite people in the world, and the fact that I can represent Ireland, and it’s part of them, me playing. I feel like they’re always with me, if it’s my granny in the stands, or just knowing that my grandad’s looking down, watching me. I think it is so special.”
Patten spoke about how it feels to return to Ireland, even as someone born in England.
“What I also love is there’s this like feeling of going home and yeah, okay maybe I wasn’t born in Ireland, but every time that I get to go to camp and I fly into Dublin, I just honestly, it’s like this, I’m home feeling.”
When wondering why that is, she explained, “I think that’s partly the culture within the team as well. And just like how great it feels to be in camp, and, yeah, when I’m singing national anthem and I’m being able to put on that green jersey, it’s just the greatest honour, really.”
As the old Irish proverb extolls, ‘Maireann an crann ach ní mhaireann an lámh a chuir é’, the tree remains, but not the hand that planted it.
‘I knew she’d be honest with me’ Patten on McCabe call up advice
Patten started her career at Arsenal where she and Ireland captain Katie McCabe got to know each other. The Halfway Line had to ask if Ireland fans had McCabe to thank for Patten’s Ireland switch, and she explained.
“She’s a great player and someone I did turn to when I was making the decision, I got to know her during my time at Arsenal she’s a great friend, so I knew she’d be honest with me. But I was pretty decided.”
Patten’s Ireland side face Belgium next on 24th and 28th October in the UEFA Nations League play offs. The winner will earn a spot in League A for the World Cup qualifiers and in with the chance of automatic qualification.
