Quinn takes heart from Ireland's 'shift in mentality'

After a challenging campaign, Birmingham City's relegation from the Women's Super League was sealed by a 6-0 loss to Manchester City in their penultimate game two weeks ago.

The Blues' 11-year spell in the top flight is over; and in truth it's been a long goodbye.

They earned just three wins all season - one of them a morale-lifting victory at city rivals Aston Villa in their final match - but Republic of Ireland defender Louise Quinn took positives from the grind.

"I think some of those performances towards the end of the season were some of our best games," she said at the Spar FAI Primary School 5s National Finals, which took place at the Aviva Stadium on Tuesday.

"Then to finish how we did in the Second City (Birmingham) derby and getting the win over Villa brought a bit of satisfaction and joy to the fans of the club.

"It just wasn't to be for us; it was a tough ask right from the start to be honest."

Being part of a defensive rearguard scrapping for safety suited 31-year-old Quinn. She brought her spirited club form onto the international stage, helping the Girls in Green to a terrific World Cup qualifier draw against Sweden in April.

It was one the sweetest moments she's enjoyed with Ireland over the course of her 94 caps.

"We were going into the game thinking that there was at least a point there for us, and I love that change in attitude now that we have, that shift in mentality to say that we put ourselves toe to toe with these teams.

"There was definitely a bit of emotion at the end of that game for me. It was tiredness but also complete joy.

"I can see as well how Birmingham and Ireland kind of tactically linked up and how the Blues can help me with the Irish team, and how the Irish team can help me with the Blues. So