Katie McCabe (#11 Rep of Ireland) during the UEFA Women’s Nations League match between Republic of Ireland and Northern Ireland at Aviva Stadium on September 23, 2023 in Dublin, Ireland. (Danilo Fernandes/SPP)

Katie McCabe was very close to scoring a hat-trick for Ireland in their 4-2 win against Belgium in the UEFA Women’s Nations League on Friday.

But after opening her account for the evening with a penalty, her second goal ended up being awarded as an own goal against the Red Flames goalkeeper Nicky Evrard.

McCabe had taken a shot from range and after striking the woodwork it hit the goalkeeper’s back, rebounding into the net.

That goal put Ireland 2-1 up on the night, after Tessa Wullaert had equalised for Belgium, and eight minutes later, McCabe added a third.

Marissa Sheva scored a fourth for Carla Ward’s side in the 66th minute, and although Marie Detruyer’s effort eight minutes from time gave the visitors some hope, the hosts held out for victory in the first leg of their promotion play-off.

But player of the match McCabe said afterwards that she wasn’t too disheartened to miss out on the hat-trick.

“I’m not worried about the hat-trick at all,” she...