Toland and McLaughlin help Ireland to narrow win in Albania in a 186-minute game

Following on from their 5-1 win over Albania on Friday night in Tallaght, it wasn't so conventional for Ireland in the return fixture at the Loro Borici Stadium pitch in Albania.

Ireland, under caretaker boss Eileen Gleeson, looked to be headed for a point on a frustrating evening where the first half concluded in comical fashion following a downpour which left players trying in vain to ship through the puddles. 

The decision was made to wait until the rain cleared at the break, which then lasted an hour and a half before the teams went back onto the field. Culdaff's Erin McLaughlin made her first competitive start for the seniors and lasted till the break, with Tyler Toland from St Johnston in midfield.

When the skies cleared, it looked as though the efforts of Viona Rexhepi, the Albanian goalkeeper, would repel Ireland, only for Denise O'Sullivan and Kyra Carusa linked up before the former show the only goal on 88 minutes to give Ireland a 1-0 win - their fourth win in four under Gleeson, following victories over Northern Ireland and Hungary in September. 

The win means Ireland are only 12 points from their four outings in their UEFA Women's Nations League B Group 1, with Hungary second on five, with Northern Ireland on three and Albania on one. Ireland's promotion to Nations League A was confirmed with two matches yet to play.