Gleeson praises ability to adapt to horrific Albanian conditions 

A 90-minute game extended to three hours due to the rain delay of similar duration.

ALL SMILES: Katie McCabe, left, Republic of Ireland interim head coach Eileen Gleeson and Denise O'Sullivan celebrate after the UEFA Women's Nations League B match. Pic: Stephen McCarthy/Sportsfile

Goal number 20 in the illustrious international career of Denise O’Sullivan wasn’t her most sublime but regained Ireland’s status as a top-tier nation.

European Championship qualification is the objective for an Ireland squad that broke their tournament duck by reaching the World Cup in the summer and this Nations League campaign has created a gateway to Switzerland in 2025.