Although Ireland’s consolation prize for relegation to League B was their status as superior seeds, the heavy margin of a 4-0 defeat in Slovenia last month carried significance in the eventual standings. If, as expected, both Ireland and Slovenia beat the bottom two seeds over the next couple of series, then the victor of the pool will be determined by the final game at Pairc Uí Chaoímh on Tuesday, June 3. Three points against the Slovenians would bring them level but only an emphatic victory will suffice to overhaul the team who vanquished Ireland so easily in Koper. The fact Uefa gives precedence to results in head-to-head matches over goal difference deepens the task when it comes around to their first international by the River Lee since last July’s epic 3-1 triumph over France. Four-nil levels out the deficit and activates the goal difference criteria. Neither O’Sullivan, who captains the team again in place of the suspended Katie McCabe, nor manager Carla Ward are wedded to that imperative just yet. “We discussed this in the car,” explained Ward at her press match press conference, flanked by Knocknaheeny native O’Sullivan. “I’ll be glad to go out gung-ho but, being really honest, I’d like Turkey to take something from Slovenia tomorrow. “Greece taking points off them is probably more unrealistic but hopefully Turkey can. “If not, we’ll pack out Cork and go for it - trying to beat them by the golden margin.” O’Sullivan became the second highest capped female player in Friday’s 4-0 stroll over the Greeks in Crete. Today’s outing will add her 123rd cap, taking the stylish midfielder to within 11 caps of Emma Byrne’s all-time record. She’ll comfortably surpass that milestone based upon her age, recently-turned 31, and profile of captaining North Carolina Courage in the National Women’s Soccer League. “Every single cap is like the first one for me,” she emphasised when asked if the motivation burns to emulate the former Arsenal stopper she spent her first six years as an Ireland player alongside. “They mean a lot. Playing for your country is the pinnacle and I love it. I’ll keep going and if I can get more caps to pass Emma out, I’ll be happy. She’s an absolute legend and what she’s done for her country is amazing.” Ireland survived a flat first-half performance on Friday to run out comfortable winners and the same is expected on home soil. McCabe’s latest needless yellow card – after she’d sparked Ireland’s surge immediately following her interval introduction – incurred a one-match suspension and she’s back at London Colney preparing for Arsenal’s April schedule, which includes the Champions League semi-final against last year’s runner-up Lyon. Kyra Carusa is sticking around for this fourth game of the series despite a quad injury ruling her out. The American was the matchwinner in Ireland’s opener against Turkey and grabbed her second of the campaign in Crete. Her place as the central striker will likely be filled by Amber Barrett, who marked her 50th cap with a goal off the bench on Friday. Yet Saoirse Noonan is also in contention to spearhead the attack, as the Cork native is in prolific form at Scottish club Celtic. “Yeah, very close,” Ward said about Friday’s second half performance hitting desired levels. “What we set out in training and from what we have delivered in training, we have seen it very clearly on the pitch and that tells us what we are going after. “You have to give an awful lot of credit to the players because we haven’t had a lot of time on the grass and for them to be delivering in the way we are setting out from classroom to training pitch to game has been phenomenal. “And that is a credit to the group, they have really taken the messages on board and delivered in that second-half.” O’Sullivan, who hasn’t set a year, never mind the date, for her wedding to American James Hamblin, concurs. “That Slovenia game was obviously very disappointing for us,” she began about their sole blemish across three matches. “After that game we all wanted to get back on the pitch as soon as possible. It was important to get the result against Greece and it is a boost that has given us some confidence. “Look, we can't be complacent against Greece because they have threats. We won’t be putting our foot on the gas and will be going at it from the first minute.”