Spirits high in Albania despite Ireland's wake-up call
RISE AND SHINE: Republic of Ireland's Erin McLaughlin in Shkoder during some down time ahead of her side's UEFA Women's Nations League B1 match against Albania on Tuesday. Photo by Stephen McCarthy/Sportsfile
Ireland launched an early raid on topping their maiden Women’s Nations League group so they didn’t mind a dawn awakening on their first overnight in Albania.
Local cultures and customs decree early prayers abound from the local mosque in Shkodër but in contrast to a Hungarian squad who visited in September, the Irish guests aren’t complaining.
Nothing will puncture the feelgood factor around their saunter to winning the League B group, thereby smoothing the path to the 2025 Euros during next year’s qualifying series.
The Irish team under caretaker management of Eileen Gleeson has so far coasted to victories over Northern Ireland (3-0), Hungary (4-0) and Albania (5-1).
Another victory tomorrow over an Albanian side they swatted aside at Tallaght on Friday, despite an early equaliser, will all but confirm their status as group victors with the final double-header against Hungary on November 30 and Northern Ireland four days later to spare.
“We had a nice 5am prayer wakeup,” Gleeson said about the Islamic Call to Prayer filtering through the air.
“We’re staying beside a mosque. We’re in their country so we’re super respectful. It’s cultural so we’re very respectful. It’s nice for us to hear these new cultural experiences and for the girls to be exposed.”
Declaring a fully fit squad again, Gleeson admitted the ease which Ireland are finding these games facilitates an attacking approach players decried as lacking during Vera Pauw’s tenure.
It won’t be until the 2024 qualifiers against top-tier nations that life after the Dutchwoman’s near four-reign reign will be judged but they’re enjoying the liberty that comes from space being afforded by inferior opponents.
Katie McCabe is notably flourishing after switching from wing-back to flanking another suppressed talent, Denise O’Sullivan, with the pair of No 10s supporting sole striker Kyra Carusa.
“We’re playing maybe a little bit higher up the pitch as these games allow us to do that,” admitted Gleeson, parachuted into the charge from her day job as head of women’s and girls’ football for the FAI.
“We’re using players in different positions, working on different areas that allows them to have a little bit of freedom in their play and their decision-making. We want them to use the creativity that they always thought that they have.
“This campaign is really useful in getting young players in to gain experience before the next stage of the qualifiers.
“I’d be aware of all the young players coming through, have a good knowledge of the landscape so to transition them through and give them experience.”
More goals and more points is the priority in the second half of this series.
Gleeson added: “We don’t have to do too much to motivate the girls. They’re very motivated, want to get the win tomorrow and have a good performance from start to finish of the game.
“We want to top the group for the UEFA Nations League and to reach Euro 2025. It’s not too much that you need to do to drive that message with the girls.
"We just have to help them to put that into action. It’s the girls on the pitch, their performances and them getting the results that’s giving people a good spectacle to watch.”
Albania v Ireland, Loro Borici Stadium, Shkodër (5pm, Irish time).
Ireland v Hungary, Tallaght Stadium.
Northern Ireland v Ireland, Belfast.
Ireland 3 Northern Ireland 0
Albania 1 Hungary 1
Northern Ireland 1 Albania 0
Hungary 0 Ireland 4
Ireland 5 Albania 1.
Courtney Brosnan (Everton), Grace Moloney (London City Lionesses), Sophie Whitehouse (Lewes).
Caitlin Hayes (Celtic), Louise Quinn (Birmingham City), Diane Caldwell (FC Zurich), Claire O'Riordan (Standard Liege), Hayley Nolan (Crystal Palace), Chloe Mustaki (Bristol City), Megan Campbell (Everton).
Katie McCabe (Arsenal), Denise O'Sullivan (North Carolina Courage), Lily Agg (Birmingham City), Megan Connolly (Bristol City), Jamie Finn (Birmingham City), Tyler Toland (Blackburn Rovers), Sinead Farrelly (NJ/NY Gotham), Lucy Quinn (Birmingham City), Heather Payne (Everton), Izzy Atkinson (West Ham United).
Kyra Carusa (San Diego Wave), Amber Barrett (Standard Liege), Abbie Larkin (Glasgow City), Saoirse Noonan (Durham WFC), Emily Whelan (Glasgow City), Erin McLaughlin (Peamount United).
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