Carla Ward: 'That second-half performance showed what it means to be Irish'

Republic of Ireland head coach Carla Ward celebrates after the UEFA Women's Nations League A/B promotion/relegation play-off. Pic: Stephen McCarthy/Sportsfile

Carla Ward hailed her Ireland heroes after they overcame Belgium in the final minute of a two-leg playoff to secure a smoother route to the 2027 World Cup.

All eyes were on Katie McCabe, player of the match in Friday’s 4-2 first leg win, for her 100th cap, but Abbie Larkin pinched the winner after the Red Flames had pulled the tie level at 4-4 on aggregate.

She won’t mind it being such a scruffy finish, squeezing the ball over goalkeeper Nicky Evrard after her initial attempt descended into an air-shot.

“That second-half performance showed what it means to be Irish,” said Ward. “I felt something was coming because we were creating chances.

“We were disappointed with the goals but we didn’t discuss them. We tweaked things and had a belief that we had 45 minutes to win the game. It was a calm half-time, and the reaction was brilliant.

“Belgium is are higher-ranked nation, we want to prove ourselves, and you can only get better when you play the best. Hopefully, we get three big nations in Tuesday’s draw.

Ward was appointed in January on a contract tied to Ireland’s involvement in the World Cup qualification series.

A 4-0 drubbing by Slovenia in her second game ultimately cost Ireland automatic promotion to League A, necessitating this playoff win over a Belgian side situated seven places above in Fifa’s rankings.

“We learned a lot in Koper,” added Ward.

“If you told me we’d have got seven wins in eight, I would have snapped your hand off.

“These players take on messages better than any group. they are diligent, want to learn."

In Leuven, where the first beer, Stella Artois, was brewed in 1366, the Ireland squad and their 350 fans were entitled to raise a glass to this success.