Megan Connolly calls for cool heads in Tallaght furnace

Megan Connolly has fond memories of facing Finland.

Last October her brilliant free-kick helped the Republic of Ireland to a crucial 2-1 World Cup qualifier win in Helsinki – a result that really kickstarted the campaign and pumped belief into a squad still hurting from their failure to make the Euros.

On Thursday night, the Finns arrive in Dublin looking for revenge. They realistically have to win to keep their hopes alive of making the World Cup play-offs, while three points for the home team will guarantee them second spot behind Sweden in Group A and ensure their World Cup dreams remain intact.

It will be a night for fire and ice – burning passion and cool heads, but Connolly warned against getting too wrapped up in the emotion of the occasion.

"It's a big game for us as a team, as a nation," said the Brighton midfielder.

"There's a lot of hype around it. If we win, we qualify for play-offs, but we don’t want to get caught up in that, we don’t want to get too caught up in the emotions.

"It's what you want to be a part of, isn’t it? It’s what we play for. It’s what we want to achieve as a nation.

"We are in an amazing position but a ball has not been kicked. Both teams are competing for the same goal. It will come down to football, not to history or what we've done in the past. It will come down to who shows up on the day. We will prepare as best we can and show up."

Tallaght Stadium has long been sold out for this one, with Ireland supporters desperate to see their side make a play-offs for the first time since the Euro 2009 meeting with Iceland.

Anticipation and expectation abound, which is where the experience of Vera Pauw becomes so critical, says Connolly.

"She has brought in such high standards. It is quite a consistent