Q. How do you motivate a team that's already achieved all of its immediate goals?
A. Tell them they're not motivated.
That seems to be what fired up the Republic of Ireland for their trip to Windsor Park on Tuesday evening, with interim manager Eileen Gleeson and captain Katie McCabe both irked by suggestions they might take their foot off the gas in Belfast.
Northern Ireland were on the receiving end of a razor sharp, ruthless performance that was a few rungs up from last Friday's lacklustre showing against Hungary.
Every single player involved for the visitors - in the starting XI and off the bench - is playing full-time football in England, Scotland or the USA. Their fitness and exposure to that level of football told as the North wilted against a team that played like they had a point to prove.
That fire in the bellies that was stoked by perceived slights in the build-up.
"There was talk around us lacking motivation for this game, which was incredible to think people were questioning that," said McCabe.
"We were always motivated, we wanted to make sure we ended this campaign with six wins from six, and I'm very proud of the girls for doing that.
"I thought we played some really nice football, and hopefully we gave the fans at home and in the stadium something good to watch."
"I think the campaign has just really been enjoyable."
What happens next is what really matters for Ireland. They have achieved everything expected of them over the last three months and done it in style.
Now, they'll head for the spring's Euro 2025 qualifiers aiming to prove they can execute a more expansive approach against stronger outfits.
They will be seeded in with the big guns for the qualifiers as reward for gaining promotion to League A of the Nations League. Being in that top tier also brings the safety net of a guaranteed play-off spot, while a new manager - set to be announced in the next week or two - will hope to squeeze more out of an ambitious group.
"I think the campaign has just really been enjoyable," reflected Lucy Quinn, who chipped in with a goal and an assist on Tuesday.
"We came back from the World Cup and there's a bit of a comedown, you can't lie, you've come from one of the best experiences of your life and you have to find a way to go again. And I think all of the staff, no matter what job it is, we pulled together, we wanted to progress and that's what we've done.
"It's one of those where I'm looking forward to a Christmas break, sit down and think about the campaign, probably watch the matches back and think about what I could have done better. Football is football, it moves quickly and I have to see what's next really."
It moves quickly indeed. This time last year Vera Pauw was crowned the RTÉ Sport Manager of the Year having led the country to a first ever Women's World Cup. Pauw's story is over now, with new chapters being written and fresh challenges on the horizon.
"We want to play with intensity," McCabe added. "We want to play on the front foot, we want to put teams under pressure. We've got the capabilities to do that. The intent is there and we want to keep building on that.
"I'm very happy to see how many Irish fans were here for us tonight in that left-hand corner cheering us on. The fans know how much they mean to us.
"We're just delighted we can finish the campaign with a win for them."
