Mannion and Ireland know complacency could be the killer in Belgium 

“It's also easier to be chasing something than defending. Sometimes it's probably harder, in a sense, knowing you have that buffer because you can take your foot off the pedal."

LOCKED IN: Republic of Ireland's Aoife Mannion at their team hotel ahead of the team's travel to Belgium for the UEFA Women's Nations League A/B promotion/relegation play-off second leg match against Belgium on Tuesday. Photo by Stephen McCarthy/Sportsfile

From leftfield came a flurry of left-footed goals for Ireland on Friday. Tuesday’s task now is to stop Belgium gaining similar joy from their turn at home advantage.

Aoife Mannion hasn’t witnessed much joy since switching allegiance from England in 2023. Her plan to bounce into the World Cup was derailed by injury and a series of knocks since punctuated her cap county. The 4-2 first leg win over the Belgians marked the 17th appearance for the 30-year-old.