Denise O’Sullivan set to be fit for Ireland’s trip to Helsinki

A scan on Denise O’Sullivan’s arm, following Ireland’s 1-0 defeat to Sweden in Tallaght stadium on Thursday night, has revealed no break. O’Sullivan was treated on the field after an injury-time scramble in the Swedish box when the midfielder clashed with Amanda Ilestedt.

The 27-year-old is expected to recover ahead of Tuesday’s second World Cup qualifier against Finland in Helsinki.

O'Sullivan and Ireland captain Katie McCabe are the only players to start all 13 matches under manager Vera Pauw.

After the defeat, Pauw framed the reaction by Swedish manager Peter Gerhardsson to sending centre half Louise Quinn up to centre forward – Tony Cascarino would have approved – as a "compliment to Ireland". In reality, the late and obvious tactic was repelled by Gerhardsson putting Nilla Fischer on to mark the Birmingham City defender.

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Ireland did force the country ranked second in the world into a tactical shift, as they struggled to break down Ireland’s switch to a 5-4-1 system.

“I can only say it was better than previous times, a better performance than against Australia,” said Pauw of the team’s gradual improvement on her watch. “We are stepping up and getting closer and closer. It is such a shame that for one moment of organisation when we did not link up.

“Up in the stand I said to my assistant ‘Oops, this will be a goal’.”

Louise Quinn's own goal, off a tame shot by Stina Blackstenius, came from a rapid counterattack before half-time when Ireland appeared to be settling into the contest.

“You cannot go forward with the left and right winger because you leave the game open.”

“But this performance will bring us to the World Cup, this one-nil,” said Pauw. “Slovakia and Georgia, no one has put this performance on the pitch against Sweden.

“The goal is a shame but I am so proud of this team.

“Points on Tuesday, for sure,” Pauw added before checking on O’Sullivan’s condition.

“Denise runs herself into the ground for this team and she represents Ireland to the utmost,” said Katie McCabe. “We will look to the medical team and just prepare for Tuesday.

“There is a lot of quality in that Swedish team, second best in the world, they are really dangerous in wide areas and that is why we set up with 5-4-1 to get bodies out wide. We did that really well and then gifted them the own goal. I thought we deserved a draw. In my opinion. But there are positives to take.”