'It needed to be a little bit of Carla with the ball and Ireland without the ball'

This summer break offers space to smooth imperfections rather than engineer an overhaul. 

Head coach Carla Ward and Katie McCabe during a Republic of Ireland women's training session at Fota Island Resort in Cork. Pic: Stephen McCarthy/Sportsfile

Not the end, just new beginnings.

From being in a Cup final scenario on Tuesday in France, Ireland’s women’s team shift to a knockout phase with two ties determining their World Cup fate.