Ireland start Ward era with hard-fought win over Turkey

Carla Ward got her Republic of Ireland reign up and running with a hard-fought and scrappy Nations League victory over Turkey at Tallaght Stadium.

Kyra Carusa's first-half header settled it, but this was a slog for the Girls in Green.

Ireland, 35 places higher in the world rankings, were dragged into a physical battle by the Turks, who were hungry and organised from first minute to last. Chances were like hen's teeth in an ugly encounter, but the visitors almost nabbed a leveller in injury time when Arzu Karabulut spurned a gilt-edged opportunity from close range.

Ultimately, it’s three points bagged ahead of a tricky trip to Koper on Tuesday to take on a Slovenia side who started their campaign with a 2-1 win in Greece. However Ward will know an improved showing is required if Ireland are to make it six points out of six.

The pitch was scarred by Shamrock Rovers’ extra-time battle with Molde on Thursday night. Even during the warm-ups the surface was cutting up. Coupled with a swirling wind, it made for a disjointed opening.

Turkey showed early endeavour but it was Ruesha Littlejohn who had the first shot in anger, unleashing a well-hit 25-yarder that dipped just over the bar.

The Turks set up in a straightforward 4-4-2 block, going player for player on Ireland with real aggression. Ward would have preached patience before kick-off, and though Ireland did have plenty of the ball, they struggled to penetrate Necla Gungor Kiragasi’s outfit.

Ward has aired her ambition to adopt a more technical style but no coach will resist the temptation to utilise the Megan Campbell mega-throw. In the 21st minute, she flung in a missile that Carusa glanced goalwards. Keeper Selda Akgoz did well to save it with her legs, and after a brief scramble, O’Sullivan lashed in allow effort that Busem Seker booted off the line.

Seker was in the wars moments later, cutting her eye after catching a stray O’Sullivan elbow. It was attritional fare; indeed, any early fluidity the Girls in Green had with evaporated as the contest got bogged down in tackles and frees.

The crowd (a healthy 8,071) became skittish. Campbell’s weak backpass forced Courtney Brosnan to hurriedly slice a clearance under pressure, the home support gasping in anxiety. But their nerves were eased in first-half stoppage-time when Ireland finally found a way through.

Aoife Mannion’s incisive pass into the box was laid off first time by Sheva to Payne, and on the occasion of her 50th cap the Roscommon native dug out a cross that Carusa looped home.

That goal made Ward’s half-time team talk a bit easier.

With the deadlock broken, Turkey had to come out of their shell a little, though the hosts still struggled to find defensive cracks. Sheva, an impressive presence all night, buzzed between the lines trying to bring Carusa into play, but it was stop-start stuff.

Just after the hour mark Ward shuffled the pack, introducing Amber Barrett and Abbie Larkin for Lucy Quinn and Carusa, but it was Turkey - ranked 65th in the world - who started to show a threat.

First Melike Pekel cleverly escaped down the left flank and found Ebru Topcu in the Irish box. Her tame effort trickled into Brosnan’s hands. Then Ilayda Civelek’s curling corner dipped right under Brosnan’s bar, forcing the stopper to claw it out of the touch. Seker’s delivery from the other side was bending in until Campbell headed it off the line.

This was getting a bit too close for comfort.

McCabe picked a questionable yellow card for time wasting over a corner before substitute Basak Icinozbebek came off the bench and almost immediately clattered into the back of O’Sullivan.

The Cork playmaker was shaken but not stirred enough to leave the action. She played on and Ireland saw it out, surviving a massive scare at the death when Karabulut prodded wide from six yards out.

It wasn't pretty, but another new era begins with victory. On to Slovenia.

Republic of Ireland: Courtney Brosnan; Aoife Mannion, Anna Patten, Megan Campbell (Caitlin Hayes 87), Katie McCabe; Ruesha Littlejohn (Megan Connolly 77); Heather Payne, Marissa Sheva, Denise O’Sullivan, Lucy Quinn (Abbie Larkin 62); Kyra Carusa (Amber Barrett 62)

Turkey: Selda Akgoz (capt); Fatma Sakar, Gulbin Hiz, Sejde Abrahamson, Ilayda Civelek; Ebru Topcu, Meryem Cal (Basak Icinozbebek 82); Elif Keskin (3Didem Karagenc 90), Ece Turkoglu, Busem Seker; Melike Pekel (Kader Hancar 82))

Referee: Réka Molnar (Hungary)

Attendance: 8,071