It was a mixture of pride and frustration for Ireland captain Katie McCabe as she spoke to RTÉ Sport following her side's draw with Nigeria at the World Cup.
It was a first ever point at the World Cup as they exited the tournament with two defeats and today's scoreless stalemate.
But McCabe felt that they could have taken more from the game at Lang Park in Brisbane.
"We spoke at the start [about wanting] to star the game with a lot of energy," she said.
"To be calm, composed and patient in our defensive work. To have a lot of the possession was really good, it was just about utilising it in the right areas.
"We did create some good opportunities and it was disappointing that we didn't capitalise on it. But, yeah, I was really proud of it, and for Courtney to make that world class save at the end to help get us the point was really good."
Katie McCabe just misses the target as Ireland go close early on against Nigeria
— RTÉ Soccer (@RTEsoccer) July 31, 2023
📺Watch https://t.co/2W5kFtUgZE
📻Listen https://t.co/QHSJNYlfx8
📱Follow https://t.co/RdKnSrqvC6 pic.twitter.com/T6oLMEHxCR
Ireland's best chance of the game fell to McCabe early on after some good build up play down the right. She pushed her effort, from just outside the box, wide of the right post.
"I was kicking myself," she said of missing the chance.
"The girls built it brilliantly down the right. I think I had a bit more time [than I thought I did] and I sliced it wide. I was really disappointed not to work the keeper with it.
"But it was really good in terms of what we were trying to do. To create, get in the 18 yard box and get shots away. I've seen a lot of growth in these last three games through that."
While the knockout stages of the tournament will begin on Saturday, Ireland will be heading home.
Next up for the Girls in Green is an inaugural Nations League campaign, starting with a first game at the Aviva Stadium, when Northern Ireland come to town in September.
Eight of Vera Pauw's 23 woman squad were aged 30, or over, heading to Australia but McCabe wouldn't be drawn on whether she expects retirees before that Irish derby on Lansdowne Road.
"I'm not sure, to be honest, [but] of course we never want to lose anybody. People will be having time to switch off after this tournament, it's been a long few weeks.
"Tonight we'll enjoy our first ever point at a major tournament with the team. It's been a crazy few weeks, so enjoyable, and I'm dead proud of the girls to get our first point on the board."
