Denise O'Sullivan believes the Republic of Ireland have yet to reach the "pinnacle" of their capabilities after they sealed a place in the World Cup play-offs.
Lily Agg's second-half header edged the Girls in Green past Finland at Tallaght Stadium and secured second place in Group A behind Sweden.
Ireland are away to Slovakia on Tuesday in their final group game, with the play-offs kicking off in October.
These are exciting times for the improving squad – and O’Sullivan says there’s more to come.
"I think this is a very special group. We have huge talent within the team, with a mix of experience and youth.
"Jess Ziu, Heather Payne who are all coming through and are unbelievable talents. We have a lot to improve on and we aren't at our pinnacle but we are going to get there.
"We need to get the momentum going. We know we can improve and in the next few days we will work on that, go into Slovakia and hopefully be better at those things and bring our second-half performance into Tuesday. We were a lot more composed and organised as a team."
"That was probably the most heartbreaking time in my career, not making that Euros."
O’Sullivan has been in the Irish set-up for 11 years now. Still only 28, the Corkwoman has been through some dark times in the green jersey.
She admits the defeat to Ukraine in October 2020, that effectively ended Ireland’s Euros ambitions, left deep scars that have taken a long time to heal.
"It is mad looking at it," O’Sullivan said. "That was a huge blow. That was probably the most heartbreaking time in my career, not making that Euros.
"The team has come a long way from 2017 in Liberty Hall (when Ireland had threatened to go on strike as they fought for the improvements in the basics of playing preparations).
"All those girls, Emma Byrne, Yvonne Treacy, Áine O'Gorman, they all came before us, worked really hard and this moment we've done that for them."
There were great scenes at the final whistle on Thursday night; a sense joy and relief that the breakthrough had been made.
"I just dropped to my knees," O’Sullivan reflected. "It was very emotional. This team has been through a lot and not getting to the Euros was a big blow. It was a nightmare so to get to a play-off was unbelievable.
"I was wrecked so I just dropped to the floor and there were definitely a few tears. It was very emotional. The stadium was absolutely rocking and they've been with us every step of the way. My family were here and that was huge. They know what it means to me.
"It is a historical moment. There are also girls who have been in the squad years, like Savannah McCarthy and Niamh Fahy, who are injured. They are part of the journey. That was for them and all those young girls who were at the stadium who look up to us. It was just fantastic. Ireland showed up for us for sure. They were amazing."
