'That's where I thrive': O’Sullivan set free as Ireland’s perfect 10

Since Saturday, we’ve witnessed the 29-year-old playmaker’s repertoire in full flight as she puts World Cup frustration behind her 

IN HER ELEMENT: Denise O'Sullivan of Republic of Ireland in action against Boglárka Vida of Hungary during the UEFA Women's Nations League B1 match between Hungary and Republic of Ireland at Hidegkuti Nándor Stadium in Budapest, Hungary. Photo by Stephen McCarthy/Sportsfile

Wearing No 10 is futile unless you’re operating as one. Denise O’Sullivan’s smile was as wide as the Danube River when asked after Tuesday's 4-0 trouncing over Hungary about her preferred position.

“Can you tell?” she beamed in Budapest. “No. 10 is my natural position. That’s where I thrive, dipping into those spaces.

“Sometimes you don’t get on the ball for 10 minutes but that’s the role of the 10. You must be selfless at times and create space for others but I love it.” 

Katie McCabe concurs. Ireland’s other world-class player has yearned to see O’Sullivan’s prowess utilised.

“Denise O’Sullivan is one of the best pocket players in the world, in my opinion,” she said of the Corkwoman, still the lynchpin at North Carolina as captain and link between midfield and attack.

All those smiles, happy faces and platitudes would seem to derive from an obvious deployment of players into optimal positions but the undercurrent is the change of environment.

Words such as freedom, liberation and unleashed were previously non-existent.

By the time Vera Pauw realised where O’Sullivan was most effective at the World Cup, her tenure as Ireland was in its twilight.

The player didn’t shy away from what she branded her below par performances against Australia and Canada, noting how the deeper, holding midfield role suppressed her impact.

Against Nigeria on July 31, when Ireland were already out, the best of the centurion was there to be admired.

Caretaker boss Eileen Gleeson could appreciate O’Sullivan was being the best version of herself that night in Brisbane.

Ireland can’t afford to inhibit their best assets, especially when the margins around qualification are so thin.

And so since Saturday, we’ve witnessed the 29-year-old’s repertoire in full flight; excelling in the historic occasion of a first-ever women’s international at Aviva Stadium – the 3-0 stroll over Northern Ireland – before crowing Tuesday’s masterclass with the final goal, a 19th for her country. She’s not just a 10 in number.

What can’t be ignored amid the feelgood factor is the standard of opposition, typically midrange Nations League League B fare, but this series will act as the bedrock for the stiffer challenges Ireland face in 2024 to qualify for the Euros.

Kyra Carusa was more specific than McCabe, comparing her rapport with a rejuvenated O’Sullivan’s to that of Manchester City’s supplier and finisher combo.

“Denise makes my life a whole lot easier,” said the striker, who has scored in successive games.

“It’s a bit like Erling Haaland going to Manchester City because he wanted to get balls from Kevin De Bruyne. You’re a forward and when you have a midfielder slotting balls like that, the chances just come and come.

“Not only Denise’s play, but her relentlessness, drive from behind, her attack and ability to keep the ball in the final third. I love seeing her in a higher position because she sustains our attack so much more. Look at her, putting the ball in the net – you could see how badly she wanted that goal.” 

Equally important is sticking to their principles.

Gleeson has been joined by women’s team legend Emma Byrne and former Celtic midfielder Colin Healy on her staff, with their duration dependent on how swiftly Marc Canham headhunts a permanent boss. The FAI’s head of women’s football was part of the FAI delegation in Hungary.

“This has been a fantastic camp,” outlined O’Sullivan after earning her 107th cap.

“We really enjoyed the training sessions. We are trying a new style of play, to play more football, and I think people could see what we tried to do over the two games.

“I’ve played with Katie for years, so we know each other’s movements and play off each one another.

“We just let Katie do her thing because she’s world-class. To have her further up the pitch was brilliant. She started that press in the second half against Hungary and we all went behind her.” All vital ingredients for a prospective manager watching on from afar. They’d be leading a team who’ve rediscovered their mojo, both in terms of style and results.

O’Sullivan concluded by pitching the sell to Pauw’s successor. “We’re resilient, tough and physical. And we’re a team that is trying to play football right now. It’s a new style, so we can take a lot of positives from the past two weeks and bring it into next month’s next games.” 

IRELAND’S REMAINING NATIONS LEAGUE B1 FIXTURES:

Friday, October 27: Ireland v Albania, Tallaght Stadium.

Tuesday, October 31: Albania v Ireland, Shkodër.

Friday, December 1: Ireland v Hungary, Tallaght Stadium.

Tuesday, December 5: Northern Ireland v Ireland, Belfast.

Results: Ireland 3 Northern Ireland 0; Albania 1 Hungary 1; Northern Ireland 1 Albania 0; Hungary 0 Ireland 4.