The all-important three points were secured in a nervy win over Greece, but Aoife Mannion admits her team must be more clinical if they are to gain promotion in the Nations League.
Carla Ward oversaw an unconvincing 2-1 win at Tallaght Stadium to keep alive their hopes of a return to League A.
Anna Patten's goal early into the second half added to Amber Barrett’s first-half penalty as the hosts looked to be heading for a comfortable home win against a Greek side that spent the majority of the game to that point in their own half.
From there however, a combination of sloppy Irish play and renewed effort from the visitors meant they were full value for their goal through Veatriki Sarri and threatened to leave the Irish capital with a point.
The Girls in Green ultimately held out, and Mannion, player of the match in her right-back role, conceded they need to improve on that second-half display.
"It was a little bit tricky in the last 10 minutes," she told RTÉ Sport. "We got the job done, we got the three points and that’s the most important thing.
"We know that we can be better. I think it was encouraging that we had so many opportunities, but we need to just be a little tighter in defence."
Ireland's player of the match Aoife Mannion reflects on a hard-fought victory over Greece at Tallaght Stadium. pic.twitter.com/InBN05YOkm
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For all of their first-half possession, the only goal – Barrett’s penalty - owed a serious slice of luck as Leanne Kiernan was felled outside the area. German referee Franziska Wildfeuer didn’t hesitate in pointing to the spot, but Mannion refutes the suggestion of luck.
"I’m delighted for Amber," she said. "It could have been in or out (of the penalty area), who knows? Those decisions come and go for you. I think if it wasn’t that, it would have been another chance.
"I wouldn’t say that we were lucky tonight, I’d say if anything we were unlucky not to put more chances away, but we have to create our own luck.
"We have to do better at taking our chances."
