GREECE LIGHTNING

A raggedy first-half performance had raised fears that the Slovenia nightmare hadn't been flushed from the system and that more valuable points would be left behind.

- MARK MCCADDEN

But two changes later - with the introductions of Katie McCabe and Marissa Sheva and Ireland were playing with a swagger once again.

It's been a while since they've been as dominant as they were in the second 45 minutes yesterday in Crete.

Sheva was only four minutes on the pitch when she scored, via a deflection. Kyra Carusa's 11th senior Ireland goal, just after the hour, came from brilliant play and a world-class delivery from McCabe.

Centre-half Jessie Stapleton, the official player of the match, scored off another pin-point McCabe cross, while Amber Barrett came off the bench to mark her 50th cap with her eighth goal for Ireland.

In between, Denise O'Sullivan ran the second-half show and came close to finding the net herself, as Ireland put their hosts to the sword.

McCabe started on the bench because of a calf strain that she picked up playing in the Champions League for Arsenal against, Real Madrid.

The Gunners were keen for her to manage her minutes so they'll be relieved to know that the booking she picked up 10 minutes into the second half, her second of the campaign, will rule her out of next Tuesday's Tallaght clash with Greece.