Had things gone the other way in her sliding doors moment five years ago, Claire O’Riordan might’ve been part of Limerick’s GAA set-up rather than marshalling Ireland’s defence in tonight’s concluding World Cup qualifier against Northern Ireland (Tallaght, 5.30pm, live on RTÉ2).

After the spotlight shining on the Ireland women’s team at the start of the campaign for unusual reasons, Diane Caldwell feels it only fitting the same should apply at the business end approaches.

Wexford Youths striker Rianna Jarrett has put her injury nightmare behind her to earn a recall to the Ireland women’s squad for the first time since she made her senior debut against Italy in the Cyprus Cup in April 2016.

The Irish player of the year had missed the matches against Slovakia and the Netherlands in April with a broken collarbone.

Player of the Year Harriet Scott has been ruled out of the two matches due to a collarbone injury whilst striker Stephanie Roche continues her spell on the sidelines with a long-term injury.

They may have survived some scares in Nijmegen last night but Ireland remain well in the mix to challenge for World Cup qualification after preventing the Netherlands from extending their winning run to 12 matches.

Tonight’s World Cup qualifier in Nijmegen could feature six Arsenal players with Ireland’s Gunners pair Louise Quinn and Katie McCabe hoping to have the measure of their Dutch comrades.

Northern Ireland 0 Republic of Ireland 2: Megan Campbell starred for Ireland last night as they easily overcame Northern Ireland in Lurgan to begin their 2019 World Cup quest with victory.

One day short of the first year anniversary of their last competitive game, Ireland’s women’s team open the World Cup qualification quest tonight against neighbours Northern Ireland at Mourneview Park in Lurgan (7.30pm).

Megan Campbell has enjoyed some major football occasions during her blossoming career but the Ireland women’s international will forever savour her role in Manchester City’s FA Cup win last month.

Colin Bell doesn’t quite go so far as to declare that the girls in green need to turn it up to 11 but, as a fan of Jurgen Klopp’s brand of ‘heavy metal football’, the new manager of the Irish women’s team certainly places a high value on intensity.