"Beer time!" Carla Ward smiled as she wrapped up her post-match press conference in Leuven.
A tetchy night at Den Dreef Stadium ended with the Republic of Ireland heading back to the top tier of the Nations League; belief nourished, optimism renewed.
It's been a very positive window for the head coach.
Ward's arrival last January was well received due to her track record of overachieving at the likes of Sheffield United, Birmingham City and Aston Villa.
The FAI also had real faith in her ability to connect with the public.
Maybe it's been a bit of a slow burn in that regard, but this week's Nations League promotion/relegation play-off success might be the moment Ward's reign really takes off.
The 41-year-old has learned some harsh lessons over the last 10 months as she adjusts to the rhythm of international football.
However, there was evidence in both legs against the Belgians - seven places higher in the world rankings - that Ireland have landed on a plan that works.
Rather than trying to shoehorn a selection into her preferred system, Ward tweaked the shape to suit the players she has at her disposal. Simple, but effective - and a compromise that requires some humility from a coach.
Chloe Mustaki's return to the fray as a left-sided centre-half improved the balance, while a frank discussion between Ward and McCabe over the summer helped to determine where exactly Ireland's best player feels most comfortable.
The Tallaght native returned to her swashbuckling best as an attacking wing-back against a physical Belgian outfit.
Marissa Sheva's rebirth as a central midfielder continues to reap rewards, while Jessie Stapleton and Emily Murphy are both more at ease on this stage now.
There were other pluses over the two legs: Abbie Larkin's tie-deciding cameo, Murphy's chemistry with Kyra Carusa, the sheer volume of good chances created (albeit Ireland's profligacy in front of goal remains a frustration).
But the most encouraging sign was arguably how they responded to adversity.
Having played so well at Lansdowne Road, Ward's charges were on the ropes in Leuven.
Belgium bashed up the visitors in a 15-minute spell leading up to half-time, scoring two and threatening to double that tally.
From the 60-minute mark on, Ireland grabbed the game by the lapels and never let go.
In the past they've sunk into a 5-4-1 in those circumstances, but with the game on the line, the girls in white pushed five players deep into the home half, gambling on Denise O'Sullivan to win a flick-on. It led to Larkin's impudent dinked finish.
That represents an important change in mentality, and the sort of courage Ireland will need if they're to do any sort of damage in the World Cup qualifiers.
As reward for promotion to League A, they are guaranteed a seeded play-off for the 2027 tournament. Brazil is calling - if Ireland can maintain focus and conviction.
They'll get the opportunity to prove themselves in due course. What's almost certain is the road ahead will not run perfectly smooth.
Ten days ago, Ward dealt with some awkward questions about Eileen Gleeson's allegations of gender discrimination against the FAI.
Was she happy with her working environment?
"I'll always make the best out of any situation. So, in short, yes. Every environment can improve."
Was she happy with the resources at her disposal?
"I think it depends what we call resources is what I would say. There are conversations on what the realities are and where we're at and what is being spent on what."
In reference to what she called "outside noise" surrounding the FAI, Ward added: "The more we can focus on football, the better. And the quicker we can talk about football, the better."
That invited a little more pressure on her side to deliver the goods against the Red Flames, but they pulled it off. Now they'll aim to justify raised expectations.
After Ward's first game in charge, a disjointed 1-0 defeat of Turkey back in February, O'Sullivan said of the approach: "It is going to take months, even a year to be able to play that type of football."
On Tuesday night, Ward declared: "These last two games have shown that we can play with the ball, if we get the structure right off the ball.
"I think we found a structure that suits this team, probably this nation, in terms of the way that their whole heart is, and the way they want to be off the ball that suits the way I see the game with the ball.
"We've done a lot of work off the pitch. We've done tactical sessions, technical sessions, mental sessions, psyche sessions.
"We've done everything we can possibly do to try and make sure we left no stone unturned. And I think that showed when the whistle went tonight."
With that, the boss headed to a buoyant Irish dressing room for a well-earned drink.
We're almost a year into the Carla Ward era. What happens in 2026 will define it.
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