Ahead of the first-leg of the European Championships play-off semi-final against Georgia taking place in Tbilisi this Friday, Eileen Gleeson, manager of the Republic of Ireland, will not be replacing the injured Louise Quinn (hip) and Megan Connolly (hamstring). Quinn and Connolly will also be unable to play the match’s second leg next Tuesday at Tallaght Stadium.
The team has six centre-halves remaining in the squad, one of whom is Claire O’Riordan from Standard Liège, who could step in for Quinn. Courtney Brosnan, the goalkeeper from Everton, has been suspended for the first leg, but will rejoin the squad post the Georgia expedition. Eileen Gleeson initially named four goalkeepers, out of which either Grace Moloney, Sophie Whitehouse, or Katie Keane, the teenager from Athlone Town will replace Brosnan.
In the past year, Ireland’s team achieved a 20-0 win against Georgia in two World Cup qualifiers. If they win this play-off, they’ll face either Slovakia or Wales in the final, planned for November 22nd and December 3rd, aiming for a spot at the Euros in Switzerland next summer.
Despite leaving Sheffield United’s match against Blackburn Rovers on Sunday due to an injury, ex-Wexford Youths forward, Ellen Molloy has been deemed fit for the upcoming game. Jessica Stapleton remains positive about the team’s prospects, stating that the team is thoroughly prepared and focused on the upcoming two matches, while also noting that previous successes have boosted their confidence.
Members of the Republic of Ireland team include goalkeepers Courtney Brosnan, Grace Moloney, Sophie Whitehouse, and Katie Keane. Defenders include Jessie Stapleton, Diane Caldwell, Niamh Fahey, Aoife Mannion, Caitlin Hayes, and Anna Patten.
The following is a list of midfielders: Katie McCabe who represents Arsenal, Denise O’Sullivan from North Carolina Courage, Tyler Toland of Blackburn Rovers, Lily Agg playing for Birmingham City, Sheffield United’s Ellen Molloy, Everton’s Heather Payne, Crystal Palace’s Izzy Atkinson, and Eva Mangan from Cork City.
As for the forwards, we have Kyra Carusa from San Diego Wave, Standard Liege’s Amber Barrett, Liverpool’s Leanne Kiernan, Crystal Palace’s Abbie Larkin, Galway United’s Julie-Ann Russell, and Marissa Sheva from Portland Thorns.
Turn your attention to the upcoming UEFA EURO 2025 fixtures; the qualifying play-off round 1 first leg is scheduled as follows: Georgia will be competing against Ireland on Friday, October 25th at the Mikheil Meskhi II Stadium, starting at 8pm, which is 5pm in Irish local time. This match will be broadcast live on RTÉ2.
The second leg of the qualifying play-off round 1 has Ireland going against Georgia, which will take place on Tuesday, October 29th. The match begins at 7.30pm at Tallaght Stadium and will also be aired live on RTÉ2.