Despite Carla Ward's best efforts, it's highly likely we've seen the last of Louise Quinn in a Republic of Ireland jersey.
The head coach admitted she's trying to convince Quinn to come to the USA at the end of the month for a friendly double-header.
However, after 122 caps and 16 goals, Quinn is ready to call it a day.
The 34-year-old came on with ten minutes to go against Slovenia at Páirc Uí Chaoimh on Tuesday, the Girls in Green winning 1-0 but missing out on automatic promotion to League A of the UEFA Nations League.
It gave her an opportunity to say farewell to the fans, and reflect on what's been an outstanding career.
"There were moments when you just kind of feel totally fine and someone says something or you see someone and that just sets me off, and I have to get back to reality," said Quinn.
"Someone taking the p**s or throwing me up in the air or someone getting in my face and I have snot in my nose and the emotion is gone.
"It has just been an incredible week. I wasn't looking for anything, I wasn't looking for a send-off, I just wanted to play for my country again and I told Carla that: 'I am making myself available, it’s up to you what you want to do with that, I am back fit, so try pick me please!'. And she saw that there was something I could bring to the group.
"For us, and for me, it was just about getting a win. The task of four goals was very, very difficult but then, it was about performing so we can just carry on. Last year, we didn’t say let’s beat France by three, we just went out, performed and enjoyed it.
"Fair play to Slovenia, they defended brilliantly and have been very consistent throughout the campaign."
Louise Quinn speaks to RTÉ Sport after her last game in the green of Ireland
Quinn's partner Eilish and son Daragh were in Cork, as was her sister, who travelled from Australia for the occasion.
After soldiering for so long, there'll be a period of recalibration and adjustment now, as Quinn prepares for the next chapter in her life.
"My routine before every international game, every club game, I go and take a stroll around and do a bit of visualisation," she added.
"A few little moments, when you do say to yourself, 'this is the last time', but you might catch me in parks around Wicklow or Birmingham, just walking around, taking it all in.
"I think and I hope I found that balance of soaking it all in but again, if I was coming on, had to be ready and not think, 'this is the last time'.
"I will miss the football of course," she added. "I felt when I was coming on the pitch I just had this different mentality about me as well, because I am a big softy, really.
"I just loved even when we were playing against the biggest nations, being the underdog. For me, it'll be the bus journeys, the training, the games, dinner, lunch, we’d sit there for hours, playing werewolf. That will be something that I’ll miss a lot.
"I’m just looking forward to a bit of a break, a bit of a summer with my family, Eilish and Daragh. It’s just been a pleasure."
It was a special evening too for Saoirse Noonan, Ireland's matchwinner and history maker.
She became the first sportsperson to play a competitive inter-county Gaelic football match and a full soccer international at Páirc Uí Chaoimh, having previously represented the Rebels at the Páirc in a league game against Westmeath.
Not a bad way to cap a season in which she's scored for fun with Celtic in the Scottish Women's Premier League.
"It was a bit surreal," Noonan said of her headed goal. "Obviously my first competitive start so I was just trying to find my feet, ease my way into the game and not get caught up in the moment. It's unbelievable, I'm absolutely delighted.
"When it went in and hit off my head, I could just see it dipping. I don't even know how I celebrated or anything. I just had a little moment, took a deep breath and was back into focus, we wanted to get that next goal quick.
"It was really special. My grandad would have been a proud man, he would have been at every game with my granny, and this was the first time she's seen me play senior (for Ireland). It was emotional and it meant a lot to me."
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