An academy game on a pitch surrounded by fences and trees is as far from St Andrew’s and some of the other stadiums that Jamie Finn has graced in her career so far.
But for the Dubliner, despite the feel of the astroturf and the blustery wind cutting through the porous surroundings, it might well have felt like the Maracana.
“Back in action after 353 days,” her club side Birmingham City posted on X on Thursday. “Jamie Finn played for the Academy yesterday as she continues her return from injury.”
It’s been a long slog for the former Shelbourne midfielder. Last February she was in Florence, preparing for a friendly against Italy with the rest of her Ireland teammates.
With no one around her, she planted her foot into the turf and made a move to press the player in possession.
Her knee buckled and she hit the ground in agony.
Finn, to her credit, decided after a scan confirmed her worst fears, to stay on and watch the game, a credible 0-0 draw against one of the best teams on the continent.
After returning home, she was soon on the operating table in Dublin, with surgery the first step in her recovery.
She spoke to teammates who had gone through the same injury and recovery, and spent as much time in her hometown as possible, surrounded by family and friends.
Back in action after 353 days. 💪@jamiefinn_ played for the Academy yesterday as she continues her return from injury. 🙌 pic.twitter.com/1KhvfxclVX
— Birmingham City Women (@BCFCWomen) February 27, 2025
She continued to work on her UEFA B licence and did some punditry work as she slowly worked her way back to fitness.
And then, on a blustery Wednesday, she rubbed her hands together to warm them up as she waited for the sound she longed to hear for almost a year – the first whistle to announce her return to action.
