The road to the Euro 2025 has unfolded for the Republic of Ireland, facing potential blockades in the forms of Georgia, and either Slovakia or Wales, in their aim to participate in the foremost European tournament.
During the draw for the forthcoming qualification playoffs held on Friday, Eileen Gleeson’s team was put together with Georgia for the semi-final. The two-leg match is scheduled between October 23rd and 29th, introducing the first match in a foreign territory for the Irish.
Having been in the same qualifying group before the previous World Cup, the teams share some familiarity. The Irish came out victorious in both meetings, eviscerating their opponents 11-0 in Tallaght with Denise O’Sullivan taking the lead with a hat-trick, and proceeding to tally a 9-0 victory away from home.
If the Republic of Ireland outplays their League C opposition, they will proceed as clear favourites to a two-leg final playoff, with a place in the Euro 2025 at stake.
They will face either the victor of the Wales versus Slovakia match. The Irish team is familiar with both after hosting a friendly with Wales in Tallaght last February where they incurred a 2-0 defeat. They played against Slovakia in the same World Cup qualifying group as Georgia, ending in a 1-1 draw in Tallaght in November 2021 and following up with a 1-0 win at the away game.
According to FIFA rankings, Ireland sits at the 25th position in world ratings, with Wales trailing behind in 31st place. Slovakia and Georgia occupy the 50th and 119th places respectively.
In the preceding qualifying groups, Ireland emerged as the highest-ranked competitor among potential adversaries, being the sole representative in League A. Their performance put them at the bottom of their group despite a recent win against France. Wales led their group in the lower-ranked B League, Slovakia took the third position, and Georgia secured the second position in the League C group.
Should Ireland first triumph over Georgia, their two-leg final playoff would follow on November 22nd and December 3rd. As per the format, the Irish team, having a higher seed, would receive the final leg at home, following the first match abroad.