2024 a missed opportunity for Ireland – with big question marks arising over state of women’s game in 2025 [Video]

SMALL margins lead to big conversations.

Ireland’s 2024 ended in tears and saw the departure of coach Eileen Gleeson.

Captain Katie McCabe, Denise O’Sullivan and Courtney Brosnan — Ireland’s three best players — are all in the prime of their careers but will not be in Switzerland for the Euros next summer.

It goes down as a missed opportunity and there is uncertainty ahead as there will be a period of transition to bring in more young blood.

But the team was so close to success. Wales won the play-off 3-2 on aggregate in a tie that could have gone Ireland’s way.

VAR gave the Welsh a penalty for handball but ignored a more obvious one for Ireland.

O’Sullivan’s thunderbolt of a shot beat the Welsh keeper but not the woodwork.

Had Ireland won, Gleeson would have been in Switzerland last Monday for …