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'Trying new things' - Ireland's style shift pleases Denise O'Sullivan

Updated / Wednesday, 27 Sep 2023 06:48

Denise O'Sullivan commended the Republic of Ireland's attempt to try "new things" after brushing aside Hungary 4-0 in their UEFA Women's Nations League clash in Budapest.

The Cork native put in a Player of the Match display in midfield, offering constant creativity and capping her performance with a goal as the Girls in Green made it two wins from two in their first matches since the FAI's decision to part ways with former manager Vera Pauw following Ireland's maiden World Cup appearance.

Speaking to RTÉ Sport after the match, the North Carolina Courage playmaker talked up the good sides to Ireland's approach.

"It was very positive tonight. We are trying new things, different style of play and there are loads of positives out there," she said.

"It just shows the team is coming together and we're really enjoying the football right now.

"Four different goalscorers, Caitlin [Hayes'] first goal tonight, so a lot of positives to take."

She added: "Coming off the back of the World Cup, we needed to get off to a good start and just get back together again.

"As I said, we're trying a new style of play, a lot of things had changed and the girls have been absolutely fantastic. We've all come together, rallied around each other."

While O'Sullivan had looked to play through balls for the players ahead of her, the fourth goal which she finished off herself proved particularly pleasing.

"I really wanted to get a goal. That's my job playing the number 10 so I want to assist, I want to score goals, so to get off the mark tonight was nice," she said.

"It was a team effort, everyone put in a great shift and we're going away with three points, on six points on top of the table but there's a long journey ahead so we'll just keep going."

Striker Kyra Carusa also got on the scoresheet in Budapest, netting the third with a header, to follow up her goal-scoring contribution to Saturday's 3-0 win over Northern Ireland in the Nations League opener at the Aviva Stadium.

She praised the impact of interim manager Eileen Gleeson and her staff given the limited time available at international level.

"Something that she had to accomplish this week is that she only has a certain amount of days to get results and to really provide something big for us as a coaching staff to make this environment something we can produce quickly and I'd say that she's done very well with scaffolding and bolstering us and building our confidence as a team," said Carusa.

"Our entire coaching staff, they have come in and been very direct and immediate with what they want from us.

"I think that us as players, being as professional as we are, then we take that information and we apply it as best we can.

"But they have done incredible, the entire staff. I can't compliment them enough to say how quickly they've helped us to come into this camp."

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