Ireland lost 2-1 to Wales in the second leg of the Euro playoff qualifying match, meaning they will not be going to the Euros in Switzerland next summer.
Ireland created a number of chances in the first half, but Wales took the lead through a penalty and soon went 2-0 up. Although Ireland halved the deficit to 2-1, it wasn’t enough in the end.
Connolly admitted the quickfire brace gave the Irish team a mountain to climb and that, on another day, they might have scored a second goal, but it wasn’t to be.
“It was a tough first half, but the second half was even, and Wales getting the goals gave us a bit of a mountain to climb. Players came on and tried to make an impact, and on another day, we could have got another one, but we’re just devastated,” Connolly told RTÉ Sport.
“It was unfortunate, and then the second goal came against the run of play. We were pushing, trying to get an equaliser, and then Wales got the goal. It was a mountain to climb then. They were time-wasting—we’d do the same. We almost got there.”
A post-mortem will take place over the next few months to determine how Ireland can regroup and learn from their failure to reach the European Championships.
Megan Connolly (Photo By Stephen McCarthy/Sportsfile via Getty Images)Connolly admits this is crucial to ensure they qualify for the World Cup in Brazil when it comes around.
“We’ll keep going,” Connolly added. “It’ll be a tough few months. Some teams are prepping for the Euros; we’re prepping to be better and make sure this doesn’t happen again.
“After Christmas, the Nations League games and World Cup qualifiers begin, so life moves on. We need to process this and be better because we want to be at major tournaments. We have to learn from this.”
The futures of the older players and Eileen Gleeson will also come under scrutiny following the Wales loss. Players like Katie McCabe and Denise O’Sullivan are part of the debate. Should Ireland now embark on a new project with younger players and blood new stars? It is anyone’s guess.
Connolly believes it is up to the players whether they decide to stay for the upcoming Nations League games next spring.
“Hopefully, all the players are here to stay,” she added. “I think if the players are fit and well and playing with their clubs, whatever their age, then they should keep playing. That is the backbone of the team.
“The age is what it is. If they are playing fine, then they should keep going.”
Ireland's next game will be against Türkiye on February 21st in the Nations League.
