Denise O’Sullivan 'really gutted' to miss Cork homecoming in June through suspension 

A gutted Denise O’Sullivan admitted that it is 'hugely frustrating' to be missing the Republic of Ireland’s crucial World Cup qualifier with the Netherlands in Cork this June through suspension.

The centurion picked up her second yellow card of the campaign during Saturday’s 1-0 victory over Poland at the Aviva Stadium, and that rules her out for the game at SuperValu Páirc Uí Chaoimh.

The Girls in Green will go into that tie third in the group, and could achieve more with a play-off already secured over their performances in the UEFA Nations League last autumn.

“It is in Cork and it is a massive game for the team - so, of course, I'm really gutted,” she said.

“It's part of football. It happens. I'll take the positives and that’s the three points from tonight and I'm sure I'll be there cheering the girls on in Cork. I trust them. I trust the staff and the players that they're going to go out and do everything in their power to get something from those games. So, I’ll keep my head up. It is what it is.” 

O’Sullivan was named Player of the Match against Poland and her performance almost included a Goal of the Year contender midway through the second half after she dinked the ball past a defender and rattled the crossbar. 

The midfielder is clearly loving life under Carla Ward, and it is showing in everything she does on the pitch.

“I’m really enjoying this team – I think it comes I think it comes from the people around me that have given me that confidence and that belief,” she said.

“Carla, the staff, the girls, [I am] really valued in here. I think when you're really valued and believed in as a player, I think that comes through in your performances. So, yeah, gutted it didn't go in, but it is what it is.

“I felt like we were in control the whole 90 minutes,” she added. “I think when we dropped into the 5-4-1, I think we became a bit deeper in our own half and a bit under pressure. But I think it is what it is. In these kind of games, you're going to feel that pressure. But I think we managed the momentum well.

“I think we did well. I thought Abby Larkin done really well coming in, just hitting those balls over and getting her down the wing. I think this team has improved a lot, big time, I think, especially in our attack and play.

“You can see that, that we're confident now as a team. But we can always improve as well. We have to keep on putting the gas and keep backing each other. I think we have something special with this group.”