Heather Payne's selfless running typifies Ireland's spirit

TIRELESS: Republic of Ireland's Heather Payne in action during the FIFA Women's World Cup Qualifying Group A match at the Tallaght Stadium in Dublin, Ireland. Pic: Brian Lawless/PA Wire

Watching Heather Payne run herself into the ground on Thursday night was to be reminded of John Aldridge’s quip that to play up front for Ireland was to risk turning his legs into tree stumps.

The game has changed since the Jack Charlton days but Payne’s task was just as thankless against the Finns, especially in that first-half in Tallaght as Ireland struggled to get a grip on the Group A game.