Larry Ryan: Celebrate the landmarks on a long journey for Irish women's football

This group seem to be acutely aware that they are carrying the baton, making ground on a trip that started slowly long before them

Republic of Ireland manager Vera Pauw celebrates after the FIFA Women's World Cup 2023 qualifier match between Republic of Ireland and Finland at Tallaght Stadium in Dublin. Photo by Stephen McCarthy/Sportsfile

THERE has been some consternation around lately about the scourge of happiness at the end of football matches, our old friend Richard Keys leading the outrage following Arsenal’s disgusting glee at the end of the win over Fulham.

Thankfully, the celebration police took a night off in Tallaght on Thursday night. Somewhere in the background, maybe you could hear a faint tut-tut of our national reality checker. That familiar Cork voice in our heads. We’ve done nothing yet. Nonsense. Do me a favour.