Flawless Fahey proves timing beats speed

Last July, in the lobby of the team hotel in Brisbane, then Republic of Ireland manager Vera Pauw laid out her reasons for playing five at the back ahead of the World Cup group game against Canada.

"We have fantastic defenders but they are not the quickest," she said. "If you don't have cover, then you will get five or six one-v-ones to the goalkeeper every half."

Ireland would go on to lose the game 2-1, and a few weeks later, Pauw's time in charge ended as the FAI decided against renewing her contract.

There was a deep feeling within the squad that Pauw's tactics were stifling their potential; that a more progressive coach could liberate the team and allow them to go to another level.

Enter Eileen Gleeson, who oversaw six UEFA Nations League wins out of the six to earn the gig on a permanent basis.

Diane Caldwell and Louise Quinn have flourished in Gleeson's expansive system, neither being exposed in a higher line, albeit against relatively weak opposition in Northern Ireland, Hungary and Albania.

On Friday night, Niamh Fahey - another of the defensive old guard that played at the World Cup - had her first taste of life under Gleeson when she started against world No 14-ranked Italy in Florence. By the end of the evening the 36-year-old Galwegian was holding the player-of-the-match award having shone in an entertaining stalemate.

Were Pauw's concerns about pace a little overstated?

"I suppose she was always worried about the lack of pace at the back, but I have never had pace my whole career," Fahey said.

"It is not the one thing you need to be able to play football. If you read the game well, and are reading triggers, it is not the be all and end all. There are plenty of players who don’t have pace.

"We did well and we held