It's difficult to overstate how shaken the Republic of Ireland were by the Euro 2025 play-off loss against Wales before Christmas.
There was a seismic fallout after that cold winter's night at Aviva Stadium.
Eileen Gleeson’s reign ended, the FAI controversially opted against keeping her assistant Colin Healy on board, and three senior figures - Julie-Ann Russell, Diane Caldwell and Niamh Fahey - would decide to call it a day.
New head coach Carla Ward has admitted she didn’t realise just how bruised the squad was when she took the reins in January.
Ireland’s fragile state was most evident away to Slovenia, where they slumped to a dreadful 4-0 defeat.
But four wins on the spin since that chastening night in Koper have raised spirits and sent Ward’s side into October’s Nations League promotion/relegation play-offs. That tie will offer a chance for some redemption, and a place in League A, which would benefit Ireland’s seeding for World Cup qualification.
Making it to Brazil in 2027 is the aim of course, but noses will be pressed against the window when the Euros begin next month; regrets still lingering, emotions raw.
"It's still devastating not to be there, for sure."
"I think I’ll be switching the TV off, doing everything I can not to watch it," Denise O’Sullivan said after helping Ireland to a 1-0 win against the Slovenians at Páirc Uí Chaoimh on Tuesday.
"But I have teammates from (North Carolina) Courage playing in it. I know I’m saying I’ll be switching the TV off but I’ll watch to cheer them on. It’s still devastating not to be there, for sure.
"There’s definitely been a lot of change (under Ward). It took a long time to find our feet. We didn’t start well in any game but came out with wins which shows the team’s character. I still think we’re still trying to get used to the way Carla and the staff want us to play but five wins out of six is positive.
"It will take time. The way Carla and staff are implementing her style of play, it doesn’t happen overnight."
O’Sullivan is 31 now. She remains the creative heartbeat of this team, her graft and guile absolutely crucial to any Irish hopes of making it back to a major tournament.
Katie McCabe will skip the two friendlies against the USA towards the end of the month but O’Sullivan - based in America - confirmed she’ll feature. The Cork midfielder won her 100th international cap in the States back in April 2023, wearing the captain’s armband in a 2-0 loss at the Q2 Stadium in Austin, Texas.
"I’ll be in the US," she said. "It’s my one week in the whole year I get off from Courage but that’s okay. I’m happy to play because any chance I get playing for my country I want to be there. I’ll be there.
"I’m excited. For once, I don’t have to travel 20 hours. I won’t have jet lag but the rest will.
"I’m looking forward to it. USA are a top, top team and we can go out to challenge ourselves. It will be a brilliant experience."
Once those games are out of the way Ireland will have a break until the autumn, when they'll face Denmark, Belgium, Iceland or Austria in the play-off. The draw takes place in Nyon at 12pm Irish time tomorrow.
"We’ll be ready for that," added O'Sullivan.
"At least having another chance is a positive.
"We have experience under our belt. I’ve heard the team names, all high level so we’ll have to be ready for that but it’s another chance for us. We want to be at that World Cup in Brazil. That defeat against Wales from last year can stand to us going into the play-off.
"We’ve learnt a lot, it still hurts a lot because the pain hasn’t gone from that game.
"Losing Louise, Niamh Fahey, Diane and Julie-Ann, so many at the same time, is really tough on the team so I think Katie, Courtney (Brosnan), myself and a few others must take the responsibility of driving the team on.
"As the games continue, we'll continue trying to do that and get better at it."
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