How too few specialists in key positions hampered Ireland - Marie Curtin

Former Republic of Ireland international Marie Curtin believes a lack of specialists in key positions played a part in the Girls in Green's not reaching the FIFA Women's World Cup knockout stages.

A 2-1 defeat to Canada in Perth on Wednesday means Ireland cannot mathematically finish in the top two places in Group B even with a final group game to go against Nigeria next Monday.

Speaking on the RTÉ Women's World Cup Podcast, Curtin praised the Irish team's first-half performance and while versatility can be a benefit to a squad, she also pointed how players being deployed out of their natural positions - like midfielder Megan Connolly starting in the back three - had contributed to Vera Pauw's side eventually losing control of the match.

"We have players on the pitch, and probably too many if you're looking at World Cup competition, that are playing out of position," she said.

"You can dissect those goals and, look, Megan Connolly can be so proud of her performances in these last few games in a position that she's not playing week in, week out. You could say the same for Áine (O'Gorman) today.

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"But just Megan's body shape for the two goals was slightly off. For a centre-half, you need your back to goal, you need to be checking, scanning constantly and you need to be telling your midfielders that you're driving that energy, telling midfielders whether to shift right or to the left.

"And it's so technical down to the inch of that movement right or left, how to cover your space or