Eoin Harrington reporting from Windsor Park in Belfast
Northern Ireland 1-6 Republic of Ireland
It has been a Nations League campaign to remember, in a 2023 to remember, for the Ireland WNT - and they went out in style on Tuesday night with a crushing victory over Northern Ireland at Windsor Park.
The Republic came into this game with five wins from five and progression to Nations League A (and a EURO 2025 play-off, at least) assured - but Northern Ireland's potential progression to a promotion play-off hinged on getting a win on home soil on Tuesday night.
Eileen Gleeson made two changes to the Ireland team for what is likely to have been her last game in charge, with Jamie Finn and Lucy Quinn coming into the side for Tyler Toland and Izzy Atkinson.
Ultimately, the Republic of Ireland returned to flying form after their nervy play against Hungary on Friday, with a resounding 6-1 win the perfect manner in which to round off both this campaign and Gleeson's time in temporary charge.
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Ireland WNT: Player ratings from massive win over Northern Ireland
Courtney Brosnan - 6.5
She was somewhat nervier than what we have become accustomed to, with a few anxious moments under pressure and under high balls. A mix-up with Jamie Finn led to Northern Ireland's only goal of the night.
Nonetheless, generally a reliable calming presence, particularly on the ball.
Caitlin Hayes - 7
Has been one of the best feel-good stories of this campaign, and again showed her class and composure on the ball with many impressive passes through the lines.
A devilishly good Republic of Ireland side score their sixth goal on the night, in their sixth win from six Nations League matches, with Caitlin Hayes getting on the scoresheet.
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Wasn't tested too much, but did well when she did come under pressure. Great finish at the back post for Ireland's final goal of the night.
Louise Quinn - 7
Had very little to do defensively but was assured when called upon. She likes to play the long-ball more often than many of her teammates, but she found some nice passes with it in Belfast.
Louise Quinn becomes the Republic of Ireland's fifth goalscorer on the night, with her towering header from a corner finding the back of the net.
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An excellent header earned her a goal for Ireland's fifth of the night. A stalwart.
Megan Connolly - 8
Outstanding both in defence and with the ball at her feet. She was at her best on Tuesday night, and displayed excellent presence of mind in drawing the Northern Irish press only to find teammates in space.
Ended the night with three assists - two from her excellent corner deliveries in the second-half - and she adjusted well when moved into midfield later in the game. Her best performance of this campaign.
Heather Payne - 7
Scored a sublime goal in the run-up half-time, and she fully deserved it after some nice link-up play with Denise O'Sullivan and Jamie Finn throughout the opening period.
Goalscorer Lucy Quinn turns provider, as her cross into the box is volleyed home by an unmarked Heather Payne.
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Her strong performance continued into the second-half, and her delivery into the box continues to be consistently threatening. Subbed off just after drawing a decent stop from Northern Ireland keeper Maddy Harvey-Clifford on the hour mark.
Ruesha Littlejohn - 6.5
Far more energetic and composed than she was in Friday's win over Hungary, and brought some much needed aggression to the Ireland midfield.
That aggression sometimes got the better of her, and she was occasionally caught in possession, but she worked well in this slightly altered Ireland setup. Subbed off after 63 minutes.
Jamie Finn - 7
Complimented Littlejohn very nicely in midfield. The industrious play from Littlejohn mixed well with the calm Finn brought on the ball, and Ireland looked far more balanced in the middle of the park than they did on Friday.
Some enjoyable link-up play with O'Sullivan and Payne in the first-half, and she consistently found nice intricate passes. Unfortunate to be caught up in the mix-up which led to Northern Ireland's goal.
Katie McCabe - 9
Just what more can you say about Katie McCabe?
Funnily, she was more threatening tonight in a deeper role than she played in Tallaght last week. She was on the end of more than a few delightful passes from Megan Connolly, and her sumptuous second-half goal was the best of the night for Ireland.
Katie McCabe scores a superb individual goal, with the sublime finish coming from her 'weaker' right foot.
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Set up both Quinn's opener and Carusa's header on top of her electric strike, and only grew in stature. The best Irish player on the night, in this campaign, and in 2023. Outstanding.
Denise O'Sullivan - 7
Another player who has enjoyed an excellent 2023, but wasn't quite able to hit the highest heights she has scaled this year.
Was always solid and looking forward when on the ball, but one felt Ireland could have done slightly more to find her in the space in front of the Northern Ireland box in the first-half.
Her influence became more pronounced in the second-half, and her close control opened plenty of space for teammates. Even on a slightly quieter night, still showed her class.
Lucy Quinn - 7.5
Quinn was at the heart of the two-minute first-half burst that set Ireland on their way to victory.
Seconds after putting Ireland in front, she would put a second on a plate for Heather Payne at the back post with an outstanding cross.
Lucy Quinn opens the scoring for the Republic of Ireland in Belfast.
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She was, aside from those two goals, very quiet in the first-half, but her off-the-ball runs caused havoc in the second period. A very enjoyable return to the starting XI.
Kyra Carusa - 7
Another player who will look back on 2023 particularly fondly on a personal level, and she ended it with a well-taken goal at the near post early in the second-half.
Kyra Carusa makes it 3-0 to the Republic of Ireland with a header.
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Her physicality is one of Ireland's most priceless assets, and her hold-up play created several opportunities. Her persistent pressure on the Northern Ireland defence almost forced a goal within five minutes, and earned multiple corners.
Another solid showing from one of Ireland's brightest sparks this year.
Substitutes
Abbie Larkin - 6
Larkin brought her trademark energy when introduced off the bench, and did well to maintain possession under pressure down the right-flank, but gave away a few sloppy fouls, and struggled to get at the tiring Northern Ireland defence late in the game.
Jessie Stapleton - 6
5 December 2023; Jessie Stapleton of Republic of Ireland during the UEFA Women's Nations League B match between Northern Ireland and Republic of Ireland at the National Football Stadium at Windsor Park in Belfast. Photo by Stephen McCarthy/Sportsfile
Calm and assured but, in truth, she did not have much of note to do as Northern Ireland's influence on the game dwindled. Nice to see her get her well-earned chance, nonetheless.
Izzy Atkinson - n/a
Not on long enough to rate, though she did well down the left-flank during the final ten minutes.
Chloe Mustaki - n/a
Not on long enough to rate.
Lily Agg - n/a
Not on long enough to rate
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