SLO FRUSTRATING

Ireland battle right to the end but can't find four-goal victory required to knock Slovenians off their perch

- BY MARK MCCADDEN

AN OPENING that was written in the stars failed to deliver a fairytale ending.

Ireland got the early goal they craved at Pairc Ui Chaoimh, fittingly delivered by former Cork Gaelic footballer Saoirse Noonan.

Yet, despite a dominant Nations League display that saw them camped inside the Slovenian final third for much of the game, that was the end of the scoring.

Carla Ward's side needed a four-goal win to leapfrog the visitors and earn automatic promotion back to League A, thanks to the 4-0 hammering served up in the reverse fixture earlier in the campaign.

Chance after chance fell but a combination of poor finishing, brave defending and solid goalkeeping frustrated the Girls in Green, who now face a play-off against a third-placed League A side in their bid to return to the top flight of European competition.

The celebrations on the visiting bench at the final whistle told its own tale.

Ireland reverted to the three at the back that served them well under Vera Pauw and Eileen Gleeson after five games with a back four under Ward.

And there was a first start under the new manager for Caitlin Hayes, the previously ever-present defender who had managed just 50 minutes over three substitute appearances.