Denise O’Sullivan accepted a swashbuckling France were “on a different level” to the Republic of Ireland in Grenoble last night but took heart from how her side discomforted their illustrious hosts in an absorbing climax.
Although Melvine Malard’s brilliant goal settled the contest, Ireland pushed to the bitter end, emboldened by the 72nd-minute dismissal of Thiniba Samoura for a second booking. Anna Patten and, in particular, Abbie Larkin missed glorious chances to equalise and set up a grandstand finish.
However the French held out to win the game, top the group and go straight to next summer’s tournament in Brazil.
Meanwhile Ireland will take a breather and regroup for the play-offs, which begin in October.
“Disappointed I think is the word,” O’Sullivan said afterwards.
“We really wanted to qualify automatically and we did have that belief in us going into the game. But France were a different level and it’s probably a game too far for us. Really proud of the team.
“I think we showed character, I think we showed fight, even in the last 15-20 minutes of the game we kept pushing, kept pushing, we created chances. But yeah, overall disappointed, definitely.”
France were outstanding in the first 20 minutes and deserved their half-time lead, but Ireland were much more assertive on the turnaround, making chances and putting the French on the back foot for spells.
“If one of those went in, the game could have flipped and we would have ended up winning the game,” O’Sullivan added. “But France are a world-class team also and they were excellent. As I said, I’m very proud of the team.
“I think no one would have seen us being in this position to be able to qualify automatically for the World Cup. But we have big games in October to come, so we’ve got to keep our heads up and be positive going into those games.”
O’Sullivan reflected positively on a campaign that’s seen Ward really put her stamp on the side.
Ireland will face a League C country in the play-off semi-finals, which will be one of the following (world ranking in brackets): Hungary (45), Greece (59), Romania (53), Belarus (52), Kosovo (85), Lithuania (94), Croatia (63), Kazakhstan (100).
They will be heavily fancied to prevail and look in good shape overall, rising to 21st in the rankings, their highest ever position.
“The time under Carla has been fantastic,” said O’Sullivan. “The team has really improved under her. The biggest thing under Carla is she just instils this belief and confidence in the team. The team has improved game by game. To be (ranked) 21st in the world right now, is absolutely amazing, but we want to keep striving to get higher and higher.
“We always have been that really resilient team, but now I think Carla has brought in more of an attacking mindset. She’s given us that freedom to go forward and create more chances. Look, we scored three goals against the Netherlands. Years ago we couldn’t have done that as a country.
“That’s where we’re going as a team, but I still think we can get better.”
With home advantage in the second leg for the semis, and the final should they get there, O’Sullivan was asked about the prospect of returning to SuperValu Páirc Uí Chaoimh in her native Cork for one of those showdowns.
“The other night was absolutely fantastic,” she smiled. “The fans stuck behind us for 90 minutes. They were dancing and they were as loud as ever at the end of the game. It’s a great atmosphere down there. I hope we can continue playing there, whether we do or not is another thing.
“I don’t think it’s going to be a free hit (in the play-offs). It’s going to be very difficult. It’s going to be a very different game (in the semi-final), probably playing against a lower block, which at times as a country we’ve struggled, as a team we’ve struggled.
“So it is going to be a completely different game and we’re going to have to be fully ready for it.”