Vera Pauw's side showed great character to grab an away win.
A first win in qualifying for the 2023 FIFA Women's World Cup felt sweet for the Republic of Ireland as they earned a 2-1 victory away to Finland in Helsinki.
The hosts had moved this fixture to their Olympic Stadium as part of 50 year celebrations of women's football but goals from Megan Connolly and Denise O'Sullivan spoiled their evening.
This was the second game in Group A for Vera Pauw's team - having narrowly lost 1-0 to Sweden - and they knew that a positive result was required to boost their chances of staying in the mix to reach the World Cup in 2023.
Connolly certainly shifted them in the right direction with a superb curling free-kick on nine minutes that opened the scoring. It was a similar finish that the Cork native converted in 2014 at the UEFA Women's Under-19 European Championships. Perhaps she should shoot more often.
Ireland took control of the game in the early exchanges by pushing Finland back, pressing them high and using the ball well with O'Sullivan linking play so effortlessly.
Finland did have their chances with Linda Sällström and Anna Westerlund going close, while Natalia Kuikka was excellent in her overall play. Yet they rarely troubled goalkeeper Courtney Brosnan.
In fact, it took a moment of fortune for the home team to draw level as they took advantage of Katie McCabe being off the pitch with an injury before breaking through and Adelina Engman netting from close range.
It took Ireland just four minutes to respond as Heather Payne raced down the right flank and stood up a superb cross that veteran goalkeeper Tinja-Riikka Korpela dropped and O'Sullivan pounced to head in.
McCabe went close soon after with a rasping effort wide, while Finland piled on the pressure in the final minutes but brave defending and a collective performance saw Ireland collect the three points.
Next up for Pauw's team is a double-header in Tallaght Stadium against Slovakia (November 25th) and Georgia (November 30th).
Finland: Tinja-Riika Korpela; Tuija Hyyrynen, Anna Westerlund, Natalia Kuikka, Emma Koivisto; Adelina Engman, Emmi Alanen, Eveliina Summanen, Ria Öling (Essi Sainio 86); Sanni Franssi, Linda Sällström (Amanda Rantanan 89).
Republic of Ireland: Courtney Brosnan; Áine O’Gorman, Niamh Fahey, Louise Quinn, Savannah McCarthy, Katie McCabe; Megan Connolly, Denise O’Sullivan, Jamie Finn; Lucy Quinn (Rianna Jarrett 75), Heather Payne.
Referee: Alexandra Collin (France).
Third Time The Charm As Laois Claim Joe McDonagh Cup
Offaly Pupils Become Local Stars After Publishing Bestselling Book
Katie Taylor To Fight At Croke Park In September
Laois And Westmeath Set For Big Tests In Intermediate Camogie Championship
I Knew I Had To Play A Good Round To Win - Ella Cantwell
Mullingar Athletic And Clonaslee United To Clash In Combined Counties Cup Final
Shane Lowry And Rory McIlroy In Contention At Memorial Tournament
There's Serious Competition In The Laois Panel - Mark Dowling
Westmeath Ladies Look To Book All-Ireland Quarter-Final Spot
Alex Dunne Aiming For Big Weekend In Monaco
Offaly Camogie Captain Looking Forward To Kilkenny Clash
Shane Lowry In Action At Memorial Tournament
Laois Aiming To Make It Third Time Lucky In Joe McDonagh Cup Decider
Galway To Host Westmeath On Sunday June 14th
Second Round Draw Made For FAI Cup
Cian Reddy Keeps Up Unbeaten Professional Record
Westmeath Ladies Get Opening Win In All-Ireland Intermediate Championship
Athlone Town Knocked Out Of All-Island Cup
Limerick See Off Offaly In Senior Camogie Championship
Athlone Town Suffer Defeat Away To UCD In First Division