Carla Ward has lauded this international window as ‘one of the most powerful windows’ she’s had that demonstrated ‘very clear improvement’ in her Irish side.
Despite coming away without any points Ireland brought the games to France and Netherlands. On the balance of play in both matches Ireland could consider themselves unlucky to go home empty handed.
After that 2-1 defeat to Netherlands on Saturday night, Carla Ward spoke to the media and The Halfway Line was present to hear from her.
Carla Ward praises ‘tremendous’ Lucy Quinn
After Denise O’Sullivan was ruled out ahead of the clash with an MCL complaint, there was much speculation about who might step into the breech to face the Netherlands.
In the end it was Lucy Quinn who was selected, The Halfway Line asked Ward to speak to that decision,
“Lucy started all but one of the Nations League games actually” Ward said.
“Tremendous off the ball, disciplined, experienced, good player, plays in the middle at times for Birmingham. So it was a natural placement.”
When asked if Ruesha Littlejohn and Tyler Toland were omitted due to not having enough club minutes Ward replied,
“They’re both probably in that central role with Meg [Megan Connolly]. I think the other two, it’s a slightly different role.
“But, listen, Ruesha is important because she’s a very experienced player. She understands the game. Naturally, she’s had fewer minutes. But is she still really important for this country? Absolutely.”
Defeat to Dutch is ‘difficult to take’ laments Carla Ward
Ireland flew out of the traps in the first half in Utrecht with a couple of excellent chances but as the half wore on the Dutch took control. The second half was a different story, as Ireland equalised early on and fought hard for a point they eventually would fall short of managing,
“We tweaked a couple of things at half time and I thought we were excellent” Ward said.
“Look at the last 15 minutes, you’ve a top 10 team in the world trying to slow the game with the dark arts.
“You would argue that might have been us. That tells you an awful lot. I actually thought we were the better team in the second half.
“I think that if we’d won the game, I don’t think anyone would have complained. Certainly wouldn’t have complained if we got a point. But yeah, I don’t think was a true reflection of the game.”
The manner of the second goal would be of disappointment for Carla Ward’s charges, a set piece that wasn’t dealt with, that was put to Ward,
“We pride ourselves on defending, defending set pieces, defending it’s one moment” Ward lamented.
“But listen, we have to take it, take it together. But look, Courtney’s [Brosnan] not had that much to do tonight and that’s the difficulty.
“It’s gutting, isn’t it? And you know, not many people thought we’d compete against France. And definitely, there was a lot of people, can you really do it again four days later?
“And that was a big question for everybody. And we did. And that’s why it’s really difficult to take.
“You know, it’s not concentration where they’ve opened us up. It’s a set piece. That’s what’s difficult.
“Because other than that, they didn’t. And yeah, it’s difficult.
“This one hurts more than France because I think we probably deserved, definitely deserved a point, if not three.”
Ward ‘really impressed’ by Poland
Next up Ireland face Poland, the side sitting above them in third in the group as things stand. Ireland and Poland have had similar recent journeys of late, both featured in their first major tournaments in the past few years and both were promoted to League A last year.
The meeting will be the first time two newly promoted sides have met in League A. The challenge Poland pose was put to Ward,
“It’s tough because Poland are a good side” Ward admitted.
“They’re a really good team. I was really impressed with them against the Netherlands.
“I’ve just said to the group: We’ve got 12 points to play for. I think that we’ve shown that we can compete against both these nations, so we’ve got to try and get points from all four games.
“That’s the reality.”
The question on all Irish lips come April will be how to stop Ewa Pajor, the inevitable and exceptional Barcelona and Poland striker,
“She is world class” lauded Ward.
“You know, she could play in any team in the world. You know, she does it week in, week out for Barcelona, she’s a tremendous talent.”
However Ward confirmed that as it stands she expects Ireland’s own superstar to be back for the next window. When asked about Denise O’Sullivan’s fitness after O’Sullivan flew over to watch her team mates face the Dutch, Ward replied,
“She’ll be back for Poland. It is positive news.”
Ireland ‘on a journey’ under Ward
The Halfway Line asked Ward if despite the disappointment of two defeats has she been able to impress upon them, the improvements made,
“It’s about reminding the players that we’re on a journey” Ward siad.
“We’re improving all the time. We’re progressing as a team. They’ve done tremendously well as a group. The staff, the players, this camp have been absolutely sensational and they deserve, really honestly, an awful lot of praise.
“Tell me the last time an Ireland team played two top nations and ran them both so close?”
When asked to sum up the international window, Ward stated with pride,
“This has been probably our most powerful window. The players have been excellent, messages have been good, staff have been brilliant.
“I’ve never, ever witnessed a camp like it, where there’s a togetherness, a work rate, an intensity, a mindset. Let me be clear, this is one of the most powerful windows we’ve had.”
