Susan Mary Hayden was born on the 8th of July 1962 and made her Republic of Ireland debut against England in Euro 1987 qualifying rounds.

She remained in the squad until the 1999 World Cup campaign but, remarkably, many of Hayden’s early Ireland caps were won as a cultured full-back.

Hayden spent the summer months with Rathfarnham United in the Leinster League, then turned out for Greystones in the winter Wicklow League.

In 1990, Hayden was named the Opel Player of the Year, as Rathfarnham claimed the league, LFAI Cup, Presidents Cup.

In Ireland’s topsy-turvy Euro 1993 qualifying campaign Hayden, now settled in goal, starred in one of the country’s greatest ever win against Spain. The shot-stopper played a key role in the rise of up and coming goalkeeper Emma Byrne.