McCabe's mix of supreme talent and tigerish endeavour on full show in Albania rout

Having talked the talk, no one can accuse Ireland of failing to walk the walk. 

Three games into the post-Vera era they faced their first, albeit brief, taste of adversity and overcame it thanks to the latest display of Katie McCabe brilliance.

She ended up with a hat-trick, provided the assist for both of Kyra Carusa’s goals and could easily have found the net a couple of more times in a performance of astounding quality. 

Thanks to McCabe, promotion to the Nations League top tier is within grasp halfway through and, on the evidence so far, the odds of them finishing with a 100% record should be very short indeed.

How much of that can be put down to facing weaker opposition is hard to measure. Albania brought their best but technical limitations were always going to be shown up against a team featuring one of the world’s best players. 

Above all this was another evening in which McCabe, at the peak of her powers, looked head and shoulders above the rest.

McCabe was everywhere and even when this result was secure, the 28-year-old was still snarling and battling. 

She plays as if there is a constant point to prove, which is interesting considering no one tuning into Arsenal or Ireland games can doubt her supreme talent.

The most notable aspect of McCabe’s work under interim head coach Eileen Gleeson is the additional sense of freedom she has been permitted. Again the caveat of distinctly average opponents must be considered but with fewer defensive responsibilities she is thriving to an ever greater extent.

During the World Cup there were moments where it felt like McCabe was forcing it a little bit, trying to do it all on the biggest stage. 

From wing-back, the sight of her trying to affect the game on the opposite side