With France and the Netherlands in the Republic of Ireland's rearview mirror, it’s full steam ahead for a crucial World Cup qualifier double-header against Poland in April.
The Girls in Green suffered two 2-1 losses on the bounce against top opposition but emerged from the international window with plenty of positives.
Caitlin Hayes certainly played her part in helping Ireland really put it up to the group’s top two seeds. The Brighton & Hove Albion centre-half was particularly good in Utrecht last Saturday night, containing prolific Oranje Leeuwinnen striker Vivianne Miedema.
"It is a noticeable step in the right direction," Hayes said of Ireland’s two displays.
"I said before that faith is believing in what you cannot see, and we can't see points on the board right now, but we certainly don't lack faith in this team and in each other.
"We've just got to believe that the tide will turn at some point.
"We want to do our best for our country, and to get points on the board. However - and it's a big however - we've just stood toe to toe with a giant of women's football."
In the early days of Carla Ward’s reign, Hayes wasn’t in the team.
She had a tough spell when adjusting to life at Brighton, who she joined from Celtic in January 2025. The 30-year-old got the nod for the 1-0 win against Slovenia at Páirc Uí Chaoimh last June, and has been foot-perfect in a green jersey ever since.
"I think everybody just has a sense of belief, a sense of excitement, to want to compete," she added.
"I also think that there's a pool of players that maybe is a little larger now, and the competition to even get in the camp is a big thing. Everybody wants to get in camp, and then you then look into the starting XI.
"It's almost like a funnel. Everybody wants to be a part of that.
"It is something super exciting to be a part of. Everybody's hungry to wear the top and to wear the top on the greatest of stages, and the biggest of stages, like (in Utrecht)."
"The busier I am, the more I enjoy it."
Hayes admitted she relishes squaring up to elite sides with elite attackers, and her performances are evidence of that.
Great in the air, and deceptively quick on the deck, she seems to come into her own when Ireland are under the cosh, not unlike the now-retired Louise Quinn.
"As much as it's a team sport, it's also individual battles out there," Hayes said.
"I think when you can say that your player didn't score, or you can say you stood toe to toe with Miedema, who has won everything in the game, and actually she didn't really get it and do much you're like, 'oh, I did well’.
"You can take a sense of confidence from that and then ultimately that makes you a better player. I definitely enjoy it. The busier I am, the more I enjoy it."
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