Republic of Ireland win 'wasn't pretty' - Ward

Carla Ward was taking charge of her first match as Republic of Ireland manager

Republic of Ireland manager Carla Ward said her side's 1-0 win over Turkey in the Women's Nations League "wasn't pretty" but three points were the "most important thing".

Kyra Carusa scored the only goal of a flat game at Tallaght with a looping header in first half stoppage time to get Ward's tenure as manager off to a winning start.

And whilst pleased with the victory, Ward reflected that there was plenty to improve upon.

"It was scrappy, it wasn't pretty but, as I said to the players, the three points is the most important thing, a clean sheet and something to build on," Ward told RTE.

"The players trying a new system, playing a new way and trying to execute what we want. We want to be more aggressive, of course we do, but Turkey made it a certain type of game."

'World-class McCabe needs to be further up the pitch'

McCabe captained the Republic of Ireland for the 65th time on Friday

Despite the Republic's dominance on the ball, they failed to create too many clear-cut chances and were left breathing a sigh of relief as Arzu Karabulut skewed wide with a late chance to equalise.

Ward explained that the condition of the pitch at Tallaght, which Shamrock Rovers had played their Uefa Conference League last-16 tie against Molde on the night before, impacted their approach to the game.

"I think it would have been an injustice [Turkey scoring], I don't think they caused Courtney Brosnan problems," Ward added.

"It was difficult on the pitch, and we had to adjust after the warm-up when we said we wouldn't be able to build in a certain way, so we had to look at something slightly different.

"How we set up, particularly with the goal, is what we've been working on all week. We want to do more of that of course, but we have to take the win right now."

Ward was asked about captain Katie McCabe's best position after she once against operated at left back.

"We have to try [find her best position] because she is world-class and I think ideally, we get her further up the pitch," Ward explained.

"At the moment, we don't necessarily have too much cover in that area so it's about what's best for the team, but we want to get her further up the pitch."