Katie McCabe hat-trick maintains Ireland’s perfect Nations League start
The magnificent Katie McCabe grabbed a hat-trick at Tallaght Stadium on Friday night as the Republic of Ireland produced a strong second half display to make it three wins from three in Group B1 of the UEFA Women’s Nations League.
Just a single goal to the good at the midway stage after McCabe had found the range either side of a Megi Doci leveller, Ireland subsequently gave themselves additional breathing space when a quickfire brace from Kyra Carusa preceded a majestic McCabe set-piece finish.
Though the officially announced attendance of 5,752 was some way short of being a sell-out – as had initially been anticipated for this fixture – those who made the trip to the Dublin venue saw Ireland moving five points clear at the summit of the B1 table and within touching distance of promotion to League A of the Nations League.
For her third game as Irish interim boss, Eileen Gleeson made three changes to the side that defeated Hungary in Budapest last month – Abbie Larkin, Isibeal Atkinson and Cork’s Megan Connolly coming into the starting line-up in place of Heather Payne, Lucy Quinn and Lily Agg.
On the occasion of her 100th cap, it was veteran defender Diane Caldwell who captained the team rather than normal skipper McCabe.
However, the latter was operating in an advanced attacking role alongside Carusa and it took the Arsenal ace a little over three minutes to shake the Albanian net.
While her initial touch from Larkin’s delivery on the right-flank was heavy, McCabe reacted quickly to lift the loose ball over opposition netminder Viona Rexhepi for her 23rd senior international goal.
This was the perfect start to what was expected to be a comfortable night at the office for the Republic, but the hosts were brought crashing down to earth when Albanian captain Doci diverted an Arbenita Curraj cross beyond the reach of Courtney Brosnan for a seventh-minute equaliser.
It took Ireland a little while to reorganise in the wake of this set-back, but the girls in green ultimately restored their lead on 26 minutes.
After shrugging off the challenge of Doci, McCabe unleashed an effort from outside the box that took a wicked deflection off Alma Hila before making its way to the net.
Although Ireland once again looked set to push on from this point, they were struggling to play with a consistent attacking rhythm against a side that are currently ranked 72nd in the world.
They had to be content with a 2-1 lead at the interval, but it was only going to take a slight step up in quality for Ireland to create further daylight between themselves and Armir Grimaj’s charges.
After she embarked on a surging run from the right-wing into the middle of the park on 56 minutes, McCabe released Carusa on goal and the San Diego Wave striker delivered a smooth finish to the net.
The outstanding McCabe was also the architect for Carusa’s second goal just shy of the hour mark – her fourth in just three international games – as her pinpoint delivery at the end of a patient move was nodded home powerfully by the 27-year-old.
Ireland were in full control of the tie by now, but McCabe ensured she came away with the match ball by superbly curling home a free-kick off her lethal left boot with nine minutes of normal time still to play.
Brosnan; Hayes, Quinn, Caldwell (Mustaki 82); Larkin (Finn 70), O’Sullivan, Toland, Connolly (Farrelly 57), Atkinson (McLaughlin 57); Carusa (Whelan 82), McCabe.
Rexhepi; Metalla (Hamidi 55), Maliqi, Curraj (Tukaj 89), Gjini; Berisha, Krasniqi (Gjergji 89), Franja; Doci, Maksuti (Troka 84), Hila.
L Van Der Helm (Netherlands).