Denise O’Sullivan has said that the fact Ireland are ‘very disappointed’ to lose to France demonstrates ‘the growth’ of this Irish team.
Ireland fought hard against the side currently rank sixth in the world but eventually fell to a French wonder goal. Melvine Malard’s 40th minute acrobatic strike was the only difference between the two sides in a 1-0 win. Restored to the line up, Denise O’Sullivan and Ireland fought hard for a goal that simply would not come.
O’Sullivan spoke to the media on Tuesday night and The Halfway Line was there to hear from her.
Carla Ward ‘instils belief’ in Ireland says Denise O’Sullivan
After victory over Netherlands, Ireland reached their highest ever FIFA Women’s World ranking, they now sit 21st. The Halfway Line asked O’Sullivan how she reflects on Ireland’s progress under Ward,
“Yeah, it’s great” O’Sullivan said. “I think the time under Carla has been fantastic. I think the team has really improved under her.
“I think the biggest thing under Carla is she just instils this belief and confidence in the team. I think the team has improved game by game.
“To be 21st in the world right now, is absolutely amazing, but we want to keep striving to get higher and higher.”
Denise O’Sullivan praises ‘excellent’ France side
Ireland fought hard against France but eventually the quality of the French side told. The Liverpool midfielder was asked for her early reflections after defeat,
“First, disappointed, I think is the word” O’Sullivan said. “I think we really wanted to qualify automatically and I think we did have that belief in us going into the game.
“But I think France were a different level and it’s probably a game too far for us tonight. Really proud of the team. I think we showed character, I think we showed fight, even in the last 15-20 minutes of the game.
“We kept pushing, kept pushing, we created chances. But yeah, overall disappointed, definitely.”
Despite falling to defeat, Ireland had chances to get back into the match. O’Sullivan was asked to comment on that,
“I think we have created a lot of chances tonight” O’Sullivan replied. “If one of those came in the game could have flipped and we would have ended up winning the game.
“But France are a world-class team also and they were excellent tonight. But as I said, I’m very proud of the team. I think no-one would have seen us being in this position to be able to qualify from one game automatically for the World Cup.
“But we have big games in October to come, so we’ve got to keep our heads up and be positive going into those games.”
O’Sullivan says Ireland had France ‘worried’
As time wore on in the match, Ireland tilted forward in searching of an equaliser that would set up a grand stand finish. Constance Picaud was forced into action more than once late on to keep France on track. That spell of pressure from Ireland was put to O’Sullivan,
“I think we pushed our full-backs on more in the second half” O’Sullivan explained. “I think we were more aggressive as a team and I think we definitely had them worried for a good period of the second half.
“Especially when they went down to 10 players. But yeah, if those chances could have went in, we could have won the game. But as I said, we’re extremely disappointed and I think that shows the growth, how far we’ve come as a team, to be very disappointed to lose to one of the best teams in the world.”
O’Sullivan praises ‘massive impact’ from substitutes
Suspensions and injuries aside, Ireland have put out the same starting eleven for every match in League A. O’Sullivan was asked if Ireland were benefitting from that consistency,
“Yeah, I think so” said O’Sullivan. “I think no matter who’s on the pitch, we all know our roles, we all know what’s going on. And I think every player has a responsibility.
“I think the subs that came on to the pitch tonight, Abbie [Larkin], Jess Ziu, they made a massive impact off the bench. They created chances for us and I think they changed the game in the second half for us.
“So no matter who’s on the pitch, I think we all know our roles and we know what to do. And I think every single player that’s on the pitch gives 100% for the country and I don’t think anyone can question that.
“So yeah, as I said, we’ve got to keep our heads up and look forward to October.”
Play offs aren’t a ‘free hit’ insists O’Sullivan
Ireland faced three sides in League A that had all qualified for the previous major tournament. As a seeded team for the play offs Ireland’s next match will be against a side from League C, the possible opponents for that round have an average ranking of 69,
O’Sullivan was asked will she prepare to face a different challenge in October,
“Yeah, I don’t think it’s going to be a free hit” O’Sullivan asserted. “I think it’s going to be very difficult. I think it’s going to be a very different game, probably playing against a lower block, which at times as a country we’ve struggled, as a team we’ve struggled.
“So it is going to be a completely different game and we’re going to have to be fully ready for it and fully focused on going into that game as well. It’s going to be really important.”
Ireland finished their League A campaign on nine points, the highest tally a fourth seed in League A has ever accumulated. O’Sullivan was asked to expand on the improvements under Ward,
“I think on the pitch we’re always defensively good” the Liverpool number 6 said. “We always have been that really resilient team, but now I think Carla has brought in more of an attacking mindset.
“She’s given us that freedom to go forward and create more chances. Look, we scored three goals against the Netherlands. Years ago we couldn’t have done that as a country.
“I think that’s where we’re going as a team, but I still think we can get better.”
‘Three in three’ in Cork lauds Denise O’Sullivan
O’Sullivan was asked if she’d be canvassing for the home leg of Ireland’s play off tie to be played in Cork, she laughed before replying,
“Yeah, of course!” O’Sullivan grinned.
Can you guarantee us the weather? Mark McCadden of the The Irish Star Sport shot back.
“Maybe not” O’Sullivan said with a wry smile accompanied by a comedic lilt to her voice. “Three in three in Cork. The other night was absolutely fantastic. I think the fans stuck behind us for 90 minutes. They were dancing and they were as loud as ever at the end of the game.
“It’s a great atmosphere down there. I hope we can continue playing there, whether we do or not is another thing.”
