Europe’s 2025 qualifier concluded with England victoriously defeating Ireland 2-1. In a slow but steadily challenging game, Denise O’Sullivan, captain of the Irish team, demonstrated a commendable performance; yet, it fell short against the European champions, England. Even with Katie McCabe’s absence, England’s technical prowess was unparalleled.
Alessia Russo kicked off the impending defeat with a goal just five minutes into the game, but O’Sullivan was no stranger to picking her battles wisely. England’s second goal, a short 10 minutes after the break, marked an unfortunate moment for Niamh Fahey. Replacing both Megan Connolly and the bastion of Ireland’s defence, Louise Quinn, was a role that proved challenging for the Liverpool veteran. The goal ensued from a blunder in control over the ball, which prompted Fahey to pull Lauren Hemp down leading to her receiving a yellow card and enabling Georgia Stanway to successfully convert the ensuing penalty.
Ireland’s counteraction to England’s dominance during the first half was commendable, despite the final score suggesting otherwise. With a last-minute goal in the 94th minute by Julie-Ann Russell, assisted by Megan Cambell’s long throw and Quinn’s flick, the Irish side managed to add a point to their tally.
Interestingly, five of Ireland’s starting players were English native, which made their camaraderie during the match with the world cup finalists seamless. However, it was evident why they chose to play for Ireland on that fateful day at Carrow Road. Sarina Wiegman’s team were eager to defend their status despite their average campaign performance. The victory was crucial for their direct qualification and defence of the European Championship next summer in Switzerland.
Wiegman made some risky decisions, resting Ella Toone and Millie Bright, most probably in anticipation of the match against Sweden in Gothenburg coming up on Tuesday. A tie in this game will secure them the second spot in the group. Concurrently, Ireland is scheduled to host France at Páirc Uí Chaoimh. However, the Football Association of Ireland’s promotional strategies for this landmark visit to the Cork GAA’s home ground have been disappointing, and it appears that ticket sales may not even reach half of the 45,000 seat capacity.
This comes as another blow for the association within the week, a sentiment expressed by Karen Duggan on RTÉ prior to the beginning of the match.
Duggan criticised the timing of FAI’s unveiling of Heimir Hallgrímsson as the men’s team’s new coach on Thursday. “It was completely out of touch,” she reflected. She felt the emphasis this week should have been on the women who have had the courage to voice out allegations of sexual abuse by male coaches in the 1990s. Instead, the attention was overshadowed by the announcement of the men’s team coach. “We had been patient for a new manager for the men’s team. The upcoming match is crucial for women’s football, and no distractions should take the limelight away from the women’s team or the allegations they have revealed,” she further added.
England initiated their first goal excellently. A collaboration on the right between Kiera Walsh and Stanway ensued, with Stanway bypassing O’Sullivan and rolling a pass to Beth Mead. Mead’s precise ball outmanoeuvred the Irish offside trap, setting up Alessia Russo to outwit Brosnan and score into an unguarded net.
Irish supporters could barely watch as Jess Park persistently broke through the midfield, forcing Brosnan into a careful save with a speculative shot. Brosnan was also forced to block another shot from Mead. Park played fantastically, spreading the ball to the right for Maya Le Tissier who crossed it to Mead’s head. Despite her misfire, England maintained their dominance.
Fortunately, Brosnan retired for medical aid, giving Ireland’s boss Eileen Gleeson and deputy coach Colin Healy the opportunity to restructure the defence. Murphy paired up with Amber Barrett in a forceful frontline, a tactic that proved effective as she took the ball off a confused Alex Greenwood and sped towards the finish line. However, her feeble finish was effortlessly collected by Hannah Hampton. Next stop, Cork – home to the renowned Denise O’Sullivan.