A DEVASTATED Kyra Carusa is hopeful Ireland can respond to Tuesday’s heartbreaking playoff defeat to Wales in the best fashion possible.
Four years ago, the Irish team were in a similar boat when a loss to Ukraine effectively ended their hopes of reaching the Euros when a win would have significantly boosted their chances of qualifying.
They responded to that setback by defeating Scotland against the odds two years later and qualifying for a first-ever World Cup finals.
Carusa is optimistic that a similarly positive scenario can eventually come from this difficult moment.
“I know it’s like anything in life it’s something that will change you and help you move forward,” the striker said of the demoralising loss.
“I can’t help but try to remind myself how it was in Ukraine and losing that game, being in that locker room and taking those flights home thinking that was truly devastating and unjust.
“Football is football but it just didn’t feel right. And then to see everything we have done and what we have accomplished, the greatness that came from that I’d say stems a lot from that [disappointment].
“You are just trying to remind yourself of that and it’s okay in this moment that it’s not the easiest thing to do but eventually it will be.
“Some of the most incredible things come from experiences like that — a lot of us were in that locker room and a part of that team.”
Eileen Gleeson and the coaching staff echoed this message as the team congregated amid emotional scenes at the final whistle.
“They look at us and how the emotion wears on us and they feel that way as well, but they need to remind us exactly what I just said: ‘There is tomorrow and there are still things to be done and there are still things to move forward with.
“This doesn’t stop momentum for us or the message that we’re pushing and we’re showing to Ireland that the development of women’s football here, it doesn’t stop here and it won’t stop, this doesn’t deter that in any capacity.
“I think that was a huge message, to remind us that tomorrow will be tomorrow, the next day will be the next day and we will be back in and we will go again.”
Tuesday night’s setback will inevitably prompt speculation over the future of Gleeson and her staff, as the manager’s contract expires at the end of this campaign.
And Carusa suggested progress has been made despite Tuesday’s heartbreaking result.
“Eileen and her staff came in off the back of massive accomplishments for us as a nation and that’s a hard position to come in and difficult to pick up there and move upward.
“I think they all have only bolstered us and really drawn us together and created an environment and reminded us that there’s always a next step and there’s always growth, there’s always next to come.
“I can’t thank them enough for that and it’s really changed a lot in this team and it’s felt across the board in this team.”
Frawley deserves to keep his spot in the squad. Would go for 6/2 split with Frawley covering. Tough on Ringrose, but shows the depth of the squad at the moment. The impact of the 6 forward has been massive each time.
@Luke Guerin: Agree. This makes sense
@Luke Guerin: I think it can go either way Ringrose or Frawley in a 6:2 split. Ringrose kicked for Blackrock, while still a centre, during his early years.
@Luke Guerin: It’s a very fair shout but you could definitely argue the toss. I would guess Farrell will go 5:3 on the bench for England. The bench we had the last day in the forwards was immense and made a huge impact but we were definitely treading water out the backs in the final quarter. We could end up, like we did against Wales, with a centre on the wing, and we are then just one more incident away from a patchwork back line. Probably too big a risk for such a big game. For me I’d be more comfortable with a 5:3 with Murray, Frawley, Ringrose.
@Mark Murphy: agreed, AF will drop Baird for Ringrose and play it safe . We’d have huge problems if one of our centres or wings went down injured early on v England
@Mark Murphy: yeah, fair point. No reason to take such a risk I suppose. Have loved our version of the bomb squad though
@Luke Guerin: Keenan not back in training today, so discussion may be academic. If he’s not back, I guess it will be 6/2 and Ringrose will get 23. And is there a hint that Tadhg F is out? Only reason why Bealham would not be risked for the Connacht game.
@Luke Guerin: This is the challenge Farrell faces… it’s a tough one, but much better to have to choose from too many good players than not enough. As brilliant as Frawley was on Saturday, Ringrose is a 50 cap player, 2nd only to BOD in the 13 jersey. The question is not whether or not Ringrose is in the 23, its who drops out for him – Henshaw or Frawley?
Henshaw went v well indeed in the first 2 games. That said, he looked very slow against wales (I thought that ‘burst’ down the line where he kicked ahead was POM as Henshaw looked like a forward. Add to that 2 things :
1. Ireland rarely got outside Wales outside of kick passes (bravo to the 2 young lads) & Henshaw a primary reason here in terms of his style of play, & lack of pace
2. Whilst Aki & Henshaw are not the Danae player, they have a lot more in common with each other than either do with Ringrose. Ringrose offers so much more in attack, better lines, better play making, and this spread of playmsking amongst Crowley / Sexton, Ringrose, Keenan and Hansen has been critical for Ireland the past 3 years. Ringrose has to start, we will not maul England as much as in the first 2 games.
@Andrew Hurley: just checking, are you Ringrose agent, the missed tackle count is well down, with Ringrose not playing.
@Michael Colleary: ‘missed’ tackles dont tell the whole story as regards defensive nous. U can ‘miss’ a rush up tackle but still be very effective to the defensive line’s integrity oddly enough
So 5/3 split, we lose Conan or Baird?
6/2 split we lose Frawley or Ringrose?
Bealham is miles ahead of Jager so that’s an easy one.
The other decisions ain’t easy but I’d go with Conan & Frawley as those 2 sit better in Faz’s framework to date
I would reinstate Keenan and Ringrose, Henshaw no 23 with Byrne 22 in a 5/3 split. Can someone let Andy know, I dont have his number oddly enough. Ringrose is our outstanding and natural 13 imo, no disrespect to Henshaw who has been excellent in first 2 games
@Arjuna: Byrne? whaa?
Farrell needs to have a good think before selecting the team. England and Scotland have world class place kickers and they will kick Ireland off the park if they continue to give away stupid penalties. I suspect James Ryan might be reinstated over McCarthy for that reason (although the McCarthy Itoje battle
Might be epic). Regardless I think Ireland need to be much more direct with England as the pretty rugby in the first half last week didn’t translate into a decent points margin.