5 days ago
McCabe: Only 'massive' improvement will suffice against Slovenia
Republic of Ireland captain Katie McCabe says only a "massive improvement" next Tuesday against Slovenia will offer the Girls in Green any chance of promotion to League A of the Nations League.
Carla Ward's side fell behind four minutes after the interval at Esenler Stadium in Istanbul, but Turkey's hopes of upsetting a side 35 places above them in the world rankings were scuppered by an own goal and Emily Murphy's last-minute winner.
It was yet again another below-par display overall by Ward's charges, but the result at least keeps promotion hopes alive. Just about.
Ireland must beat Slovenia - a side they lost 4-0 to earlier in the campaign - 5-0 at Páirc Uí Chaoimh on Tuesday to win the group and gain promotion to League A.
Failure to achieve that result and they'll head for a promotion/relegation play-off against one the League A third-placed teams in the autumn.
Reflecting on the scrappy win, McCabe says while the result was key, only an upturn in general play will suffice on Leeside.
"We got the result and that's what matters in the end but from a performance point of view we have to be miles better going into Tuesday," she told RTÉ Sport.
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Ireland captain Katie McCabe: "We got the result and that's what matters in the end but from a performance point of view we have to be miles better going into Tuesday" #UWNL
— RTÉ Sport (@RTEsport) May 30, 2025
"We didn't move the ball quick enough, we didn't move Turkey quick enough. We allowed them into the game with some sloppy mistakes.
"It gave them that sniff to go forward. We need a massive improvement if we are going to beat Slovenia on Tuesday.
"It's a tough ask. They have played brilliant for the whole Nations League campaign. I've got belief in us We can score goals from different phases of play.
"We can't rush it. We have to be patient. We need to be at our absolute best."
The skipper cited a change in tactics under Ward, as players get used to her style, as a possible explanation for Ireland's sluggish starts in games, but was particularly aggrieved by the manner in which they conceded the opening goal of the game, Kader Hancar finishing past Courtney Brosnan.
"This is our fifth game under Carla, it's not going to be perfect," she said. "From a standards point of view, we have to implement that (gameplan) a little quicker and come out of the traps faster.
"If we want to be pushing for (League) A in the Nations League, we can't be conceding goals like that, we gave them too much space. We need to take more care with the ball."
After playing her part in Arsenal's Champions League-winning exploits against Barcelona last week, there were suspicions that Ward might start the Tallaght woman on the bench.
McCabe however was included from the off, putting in a player of the match display and said she never had any fears that mental or physical exertions from the club celebrations would impact her international duties.
"I feel really good," she said. "It was a massive result for the club last week and we were ecstatic with becoming champions. I enjoyed the full celebrations, but it was full focus on these two games.
"I said to Carla when I came in I was ready to play and give it all for the team."
