Spirits high in Albania despite Ireland's wake-up call
Ireland launched an early raid on topping their maiden Women’s Nations League group so they didn’t mind a dawn awakening on their first overnight in Albania.
Local cultures and customs decree early prayers abound from the local mosque in Shkodër but in contrast to a Hungarian squad who visited in September, the Irish guests aren’t complaining.
Nothing will puncture the feelgood factor around their saunter to winning the League B group, thereby smoothing the path to the 2025 Euros during next year’s qualifying series.
The Irish team under caretaker management of Eileen Gleeson has so far coasted to victories over Northern Ireland (3-0), Hungary (4-0) and Albania (5-1).
Another victory tomorrow over an Albanian side they swatted aside at Tallaght on Friday, despite an early equaliser, will all but confirm their status as group victors with the final double-header against Hungary on November 30 and Northern Ireland four days later to spare.
“We had a nice 5am prayer wakeup,” Gleeson said about the Islamic Call to Prayer filtering through the air.
“We’re staying beside a mosque. We’re in their country so we’re super respectful. It’s cultural so we’re very respectful. It’s nice for us to hear these new cultural experiences and for the girls to be exposed.”
Declaring a fully fit squad again, Gleeson admitted the ease which Ireland are finding these games facilitates an attacking approach players decried as lacking during Vera Pauw’s tenure.
It won’t be until the 2024 qualifiers against top-tier nations that life after the Dutchwoman’s near four-reign reign will be judged but they’re enjoying the liberty that comes from space being afforded by inferior opponents.
Katie McCabe is notably flourishing after switching from
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