Pain in Grenoble but hope for Irish as play-offs loom

Pain in Grenoble but hope for Irish as play-offs loomImage source, Getty ImagesImage caption, Katie McCabe was dejected at full-time as Republic of Ireland missed the chance to qualify automatically for a second successive World Cup ByLauren McCannBBC Sport NI JournalistPublished1 hour agoThree wins and three defeats to finish third in their World Cup qualifying group may not look like much, but there is plenty for the Republic of Ireland to be proud of in how they navigated what many considered the toughest group in League A. The bottom seeds, who had only won promotion to League A with a last-gasp goal against Belgium in a promotion/relegation play-off last year, were tipped to go straight back down to League B when they were drawn against France, Netherlands and Poland. Manager Carla Ward always said they wanted to aim as high as possible, and while they fell short of scaling their Everest by narrowly losing to France in their final qualifier to miss out on automatic World Cup qualification, they still have a chance to reach next year's tournament in Brazil. They became the first side promoted to League A not to be relegated straight back down and the first to pick up not just two but three wins in the top tier, including that sensational win over the Netherlands in Cork on Friday. Their third-place finish has secured a seeded play-off in the autumn and they will be the team many will want to avoid when the draw is made on 18 June given how they have shocked Poland twice and the Netherlands and run France ever so close. Ward's overriding feelings when speaking to RTE were pride tinged with pain that they couldn't get over the line, although she was philosophical in how far they have come and how far they can go. "I'm incredibly proud of this group and I said it to them there. We've got a special, special group who work unbelievably hard. It shows you everything, the [French] scenes at the end, they didn't have it easy tonight," she said. "France are a top, top side and the fact we are here disappointed tells you an awful lot about where we are. "You can take so many positives. This campaign we have grown and got better and better. Whether we had won, drawn or lost tonight we wanted to continue on the journey. We are in a really good place going into October and that has to be the focus." Republic of Ireland fall to defeat against France who qualify for World Cup 'The World Cup needs this group'Image source, Getty ImagesImage caption, Republic of Ireland will discover their semi-final play-off opponents on 18 June Fireworks were let off and the PA system was turned up loud as France got their World Cup qualification party started at the Stade des Alpes, but they will breathe a huge sigh of relief as Republic of Ireland pushed them all the way in Grenoble. Ward's side, as they have done throughout the campaign, recovered from the setback of a below-par first half in which they conceded what proved to be a fine winner from Melvine Malard, to have a real go at France, although they ultimately fell short. Thiniba Samoura's sending off for hauling down Emily Murphy when she was through looked to be a turning point in the Irish side's favour just as they were building momentum, but they could not capitalise with Abbie Larkin missing a huge chance to equalise moments later. So close yet so far for the Republic of Ireland, who were serenaded by the small section of Irish fans that made the trip who recognised the efforts this group of players have made in transforming the campaign around after two early losses against the Netherlands and France. They will take comfort from their improving performances and results in this group and will relish a crack at the play-offs considering they navigated them successfully the last time they reached the World Cup, although it is a more arduous route now with a semi-final and final. "The goal is the World Cup, that is what we want to achieve. It's a different route for us, but we're disappointed to lose to one of the best in the world tonight and that tells its own story," Ward added. "The World Cup needs this group, let me tell you that right now, they're a special bunch." Related topicsRepublic of Ireland Women's Football TeamWomen's FootballFootballIrish FootballNorthern Ireland Sport