Ireland prove their point and immediately eye new highs

Q. How do you motivate a team that's already achieved all of its immediate goals?

A. Tell them they're not motivated.

That seems to be what fired up the Republic of Ireland for their trip to Windsor Park on Tuesday evening, with interim manager Eileen Gleeson and captain Katie McCabe both irked by suggestions they might take their foot off the gas in Belfast.

Northern Ireland were on the receiving end of a razor sharp, ruthless performance that was a few rungs up from last Friday's lacklustre showing against Hungary.

Every single player involved for the visitors - in the starting XI and off the bench - is playing full-time football in England or Scotland. Their fitness and exposure to that level of football told as the North wilted against a team that played like they had a point to prove.

There was a fire in their bellies that was stoked by perceived slights in the build-up.

"There was talk around us lacking motivation for this game, which was incredible to think people were questioning that," said McCabe.

"We were always motivated, we wanted to make sure we ended this campaign with six wins from six, and I'm very proud of the girls for doing that.

"I thought we played some really nice football, and hopefully we gave the fans at home and in the stadium something good to watch."

"I think the campaign has just really been enjoyable."

What happens next is what really matters for Ireland. They have achieved everything expected of them over the last three months and done it in style.

Now, they'll head for the spring's Euro 2025 qualifiers aiming to prove they can execute a more expansive approach against stronger outfits.

They will be seeded in with the big guns for the qualifiers as reward for gaining promotion to League A of the