Clare Shine: 'I might take up boxing'
Glasgow City star ready to put on the gloves to represent Republic of Ireland at the Olympics
Glasgow City striker Clare Shine has joked she may need to take up boxing in order to represent the Republic of Ireland at the Olympics.
Shine is a big admirer of fellow Irishwoman and Olympic boxing champion Katie Taylor, herself a former footballer, who won gold at the 2012 games.
However, Shine’s chances off gaining a medal herself are hampered by Ireland currently electing not to enter a women’s football team in the event.
“Katie Taylor is someone who I have always looked up to,” Shine told Anyone’s Game. “She’s an incredible athlete.
“She’s in boxing now but she used to play for Ireland a number of years ago and was incredible. The way she caries herself and the commitment she shows to women’s sport is just unbelievable.
“I mean she’s an Olympic champion but you can only aspire to be like these people and it gives you good ambitions and goals to try reach.
“If only Ireland had a team in it but you know what, I might take up the boxing to achieve that.”
Shine, 26, is in her second spell at Glasgow City and has noticed the difference in the interest people are having in the game in Scotland, with many young City fans turning up to games with ‘Shine 10’ on the back of their replica shirts.
“It’s incredible to see that,” she said. “It’s not something that I would be used to so I do appreciate all the support of the young kids coming out and supporting us, and supporting the league.
“I think that is good for the young kids to have people to look up to and hopefully one day they will be able to be just like us and play for City.”
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