'The World Cup needs this Ireland group': Ward switches focus to play-offs

Republic of Ireland head coach Carla Ward speaks to her team. Pic: Stephen McCarthy/Sportsfile

Carla Ward believes Ireland can continue to inspire future generations as their World Cup fate leaps into the play-offs in October.

An improbable direct route to Brazil next year was killed off by France in Tuesday’s concluding regulation qualifier but having third spot already secured means they’ll be seeded in the play-offs, both the semi and the final.

“If you said at the start we would have a chance here and run France close, I would have snapped your hand off,” reflected Ward after accruing nine points from a possible 18 in the group.

“Our players deserve an awful lot of credit for what’s been achieved but I’ve told them that this is the start, not the end.” 

Ireland struggled to cope with the fourth best team in Europe early on, but aided by a sending off with 20 minutes left, they ended the game ruing a litany of missed chances.

“We were hoping that France wouldn't find rhythm but did prepare for the onslaught it was.

“We managed that in the first 20 minutes; we really did, because we knew they would want to try and pull us out with all their rotations.

“We didn't allow them to and It's taken a moment of magic, an overhead kick from a wonderful individual, a wonderful talent, to win them the game.

“They haven't cut open our back line too often.” 

She added on next week’s playoff draw: “I want to get back straight away but we'll go to Zurich next week and see who we play, see what the route for the play-offs is and then we'll assess that.

“I hope the young girls look up to these players because they have inspired a lot of people.

“It’s a long way away and we will find out who we get and prepare as quickly as possible.

“The World Cup is the ambition, we have a different route but it tells some story that we are disappointed to lose.

“The World Cup needs this group, they are a special group.”