“By the head of an English woman” – Katie McCabe delivers hilarious speech as Ireland reach World Cup play-offs

"I am so proud of every single on of you."

Ireland have made it into the World Cup Play-Off stages, thanks to a cagey and tense win over Finland last night. Only one goal separated the two teams in the end, but the energy and focus that was put into the performance by the Irish players was so immense, that several to them fell to their knees when the final whistle went. Emotions just overcame the players as they knew they had dug deep to get the victory, with substitute's Lily Agg's well-taken header in the 54th minute proving to be the difference. Agg of course, was brought up in Brighton, something which the girls clearly like to have the craic about, as highlighted by their captain's post-match speech. Katie McCabe gathered the girls in a circle and uttered one simple sentence that was met with an eruption of applauds from the team.

"I've no words, we've got a f***ing Play-Off!" https://twitter.com/FAIreland/status/1565461533987151873

When they composed themselves, the Arsenal star continued, and was quick to point out that it was an English woman who got them over the line in the end.

"I am so proud of every single on of you, players who are at home, injured, everybody! It was a f***ing team shift that has got us here... by the head of an English woman."

That last statement was met with roars of laughter from her teammates, and the delirium continued throughout the night, but all focus will soon shift to the next game. On Tuesday they will play Slovakia for their final group match, and then that's when things get really interesting. Ireland - third seeds when the draw was made in April 2021 - have secured second spot in Group A and can now look forward to October's complicated play-off format with their dreams of making it to Australia and New Zealand next year intact.