Head Coach Vera Pauw named the same starting eleven that faced Sweden for this afternoon’s 2023 World Cup qualifier against Finland in the Olympic Stadium, Helsinki where Ireland secured a very significant two one victory against the second seeds.
A Megan Connolly free kick on 10 minutes gave Ireland the lead and disciplined defending maintained that scoreline to the half-time break. Finland started the second half on the front foot and equalised just seven minutes after the re-start. The Irish response was swift and just four minutes later they reclaimed the lead with a headed goal from Denise O’Sullivan. The hosts did mount several attacks but again the defence stood strong and held the advantage to the end.
Team: Courtney Brosnan; Jamie Finn, Niamh Fahey, Louise Quinn, Savannah McCarthy; Aine O’Gorman, Lucy Quinn, Megan Connolly, Denise O’Sullivan, Katie McCabe(C); Heather Payne
Substitutes:
Rianna Jarrett for Lucy Quinn 75′
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Our Senior Women, under the guidance of Head Coach Vera Pauw, commenced their 2023 World Cup qualifying campaign with a one nil defeat by top seeds and world Number 2 ranked Sweden in Tallaght Stadium this Thursday evening.
The team was set up in a solid 4-5-1 formation and stuck valiantly to their task for the full 90+6 minutes. The goal which defeated us came on 39 minutes and was an extremely unfortunate ‘own goal’ from Louise Quinn.
The ‘Player of the Match’ award went to goalkeeper Courtney Brosnan and while none could be faulted for commitment and effort there were sterling performers in midfielder Lucy Quinn who was earning just her second cap, Denise O’Sullivan and captain Katie McCabe.
The squad will now re-group and travel to take on second seeds Finland in the Olympic Stadium at 4.15pm next Tuesday afternoon with RTE 2 and RTE Player bringing live coverage from Helsinki.
Team: Courtney Brosnan; Jamie Finn, Niamh Fahey, Louise Quinn, Savannah McCarthy; Aine O’Gorman, Lucy Quinn, Megan Connolly, Denise O’Sullivan, Katie McCabe(C); Heather Payne
Substitutes:
Amber Barrett for Finn 74′
Leanne Kiernan for Payne 74′
Saoirse Noonan for Lucy Quinn 90’+3′
Squad
Goalkeepers: Eve Badana (DLR Waves), Courtney Brosnan (Everton), Amanda Budden (Shelbourne), Grace Moloney (Reading)
Defenders: Diane Caldwell (North Carolina Courage), Niamh Fahey (Liverpool), Savannah McCarthy (Galway WFC), Aine O’Gorman (Peamount United), Eabha O’Mahony (Boston College), Louise Quinn (Birmingham City), Harriet Scott (Birmingham City), Claire Walsh (Glasgow City)
Midfielders: Aoibheann Clancy (Wexford WFC), Megan Connolly (Brighton & Hove Albion), Niamh Farrelly (Glasgow City), Jamie Finn (Birmingham City), Ciara Grant (Shelbourne), Katie McCabe (Arsenal), Roma McLaughlin (Central Connecticut State), Denise O’Sullivan (North Carolina Courage), Jessica Ziu (Shelbourne)
Forwards: Amber Barrett (FC Koln), Rianna Jarrett London City Lionesses), Leanne Kiernan (Liverpool), Saoirse Noonan (Shelbourne), Heather Payne (Florida State University), Lucy Quinn (Birmingham City)