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"I Have One Player With A Missing Tooth" - Wales Manager Questions Ireland's Physicality 

"I Have One Player With A Missing Tooth" - Wales Manager Questions Ireland's Physicality 
Lee Costello
By Lee Costello Updated
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Wales 2-1 victory over Ireland last night has ensured that they will be playing in a major tournament for the first time in their history.

Goals from Hannah Cain and Carrie Jones saw Wales to victory at the Aviva Stadium, but it was a war of attrition between the two teams, with a lot of bite in the game.

Ireland's captain Katie McCabe was fortunate not to be sent off after an ill-judged swipe at her opponent, and tempers only mounted from there.

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Wales manager Rhian Wilkinson had been critical of Ireland's direct style of play, and there was clear tension between the two dug-outs, but ultimately she is happy to come out on the right side of  "a battle."

READ ALSO: Ireland Player Ratings As Euros Dream Collapses With Playoff Defeat To Wales

"It doesn’t matter. We had to find a way to win. I have one player with a missing tooth, I have bloody players, I am not very popular with the Irish staff right now.

"But in the end, that is what we saw out there, two teams who gave everything and it was a battle because it means so much to their countries."

There is uncertainty surrounding the future of Ireland's manager Eileen Gleeson, and with several players in the squad well into their 30s, talk of retirements have been circling.

Speaking after the game, a disappointed Megan Connolly is hopeful that the season stars will be sticking around for a bit longer.

"Hopefully all the players are here to stay. I think if the players are fit and well and playing with their clubs, whatever their age, then they should keep playing. That is the backbone of the team.

"The age is what it is but if they are playing fine then they should keep going.

"It's still quite a fresh feeling. We'll try and process it. Everyone wanted to be there (Switzerland). We were prepared and just on the day it didn’t go our way.

"Everyone is devastated. If I'm being honest I don't have many words at the minute, it’s quite something to process."

Ireland have no choice but to lick their wounds until their Nations League B campaign begins against Turkey in February.

SEE ALSO: Ruesha Littlejohn Spoke Passionately On Grassroots After Ireland's Loss To Wales

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