Quinn pleased with progress after 'bit of a comedown'

If Vera Pauw was pilloried for being too conservative, being gifted bundles of space in this holding pattern of a campaign was the ideal remedy.

PARTNERS: Northern Ireland’s Rebecca Holloway with Republic of Ireland’s Lucy Quinn. Pic: ©INPHO/Presseye/William Cherry

Pummelling lower-seeded opposition is the best Ireland could conquer in the middling third of European football but a new manager watching will feel he or she can get more in 2024.

Nations League matches have replaced friendlies as the gap-filler between campaigns and Ireland’s cakewalk against their neighbours racked up a maximum 18-point haul, 20 goals and just two conceded.