'It doesn't feel real' - Katie McCabe & Louise Quinn in dreamland

Katie McCabe was left feeling "numb" and "speechless" after her World Cup dream became a reality at Hampden Park on Tuesday night.

The Republic of Ireland captain was typically influential as the Girls in Green eked out an incredibly gutsy 1-0 win in their play-off showdown.

Coupled with Portugal's 4-1 win against Iceland, it meant Ireland are off to the finals in Australia and New Zealand as one of the two best-ranked teams from the play-offs.

Relief, pride and indescribable joy all round then, with McCabe barely able to comprehend the enormity of the achievement.

"We got the job done and we are heading to a World Cup," she said.

"It doesn't feel real and I am absolutely speechless. I am numb. The weight, a subconscious weight, as we have never reached a major tournament before, so to say we have done it I don’t think it will sink in until, maybe, I am on the plane to Australia.

"People might not like our style of play, defending deep, but we are passionate about it. We know if we nullify the spaces in behind we can catch teams on the counter-attack. We have shown that against some of the best teams in the world.

"It has got us to a World Cup."

Paying tribute to the former players who laid the foundations for Ireland's success, the Arsenal star added: "It’s for all the girls before us, Emma Byrne and Olivia O'Toole and all the young girls looking up to us. My sister is here tonight, this is for her and I hope this inspires a generation of Irish girls to dream.

"My Ma and Da are up there. They paid about a grand on flights with Ryanair doing them! But they got here."

Another Ireland veteran Louise Quinn, who was outstanding at centre-back, hailed match-winner Amber Barrett and goalkeeper Courtney Brosnan, her save from Caroline