Denise O'Sullivan hits back at RTÉ panel misgivings

RTÉ’s panel noted how a 9-0 aggregate drubbing of Georgia in 2024 didn’t adequately equip Ireland for a Euros play-off against Wales

Denise O'Sullivan: 'It’s tough to play those teams that sit in a low block and I think many years ago we struggled with that as well.' Pic: ©INPHO/Tom Maher

Denise O’Sullivan has hit back at criticism over Ireland’s facile preparation for their World Cup playoff decider, disagreeing with her former teammates.

Members of RTÉ’s panel last Friday noted how a 9-0 aggregate drubbing of Georgia in 2024 didn’t adequately equip the team for their final against Wales.

They subsequently missed out on a place at a first Euros by losing 3-2 over the two legs, the second at Lansdowne Road.

Ireland, under Eileen Gleeson’s successor Carla Ward, are barnstorming their way to another showdown, taking an 8-0 advantage into Tuesday's second leg against Kazakhstan at Pairc Uí Chaoimh.

They’ll be taking on either Belgium or Poland in early December, teams they’ve beaten in the last 12 months, for a spot at next summer’s World Cup in Brazil.

O’Sullivan, whose 133rd cap on home soil of Leeside will lift her to within one appearance of Emma Byrne’s all-time record, doesn’t believe a couple of strolls over a team ranked 98th in the world dilute their readiness for the sterner test.

“I don’t really agree with that,” said the veteran, who recently cut short her spell at Liverpool to join New York side Gotham.

“You have to face the teams that are in front of you and that’s all we can do as a team.

“I think it discredits the team to say that because I thought they were excellent the other night.

“As Carla says, it’s tough to play those teams that sit in a low block and I think many years ago we struggled with that as well.

“I think we’ve got to play with what’s in front of us and the girls were excellent. To score eight goals is amazing and we’ll be looking to even better than that in this second leg.” 

O’Sullivan returns to the starting line-up after being spared the 11-hour trip to Astana and her long-time teammate, captain Katie McCabe, will also be reinstated following suspension.