Hello and welcome along to what could be a significant night for Irish women’s football.
A huge task awaits Carla Ward’s Republic of Ireland as they host Slovenia in a crunch Nations League tie.
Slovenia are currently leading Group B2 but if Ireland win by four goals or more tonight, they will leapfrog the visitors and secure automatic qualification to League A. If they fall short, they will go to the play-offs in October. We’ll be bringing you all the action live from a sunny and windy Páirc Uí Chaoimh.
We’ll have team line-ups for you shortly as we get closer to the 6pm kick-off.
3 Jun
5:05PM
Team News:
Ireland have made four changes to the side who defeated Türkiye last Friday.
Saoirse Noonan, Kyra Carusa, Caitlin Hayes and Emily Murphy all start as Amber Barrett, Marissa Sheva, Aoife Mannion and Lucy Quinn all make way.
— Ireland Football ⚽️🇮🇪 (@IrelandFootball) June 3, 2025
3 Jun
5:09PM
A nice piece of history happening this evening as Saoirse Noonan becomes the first person to play a competitive inter-county football match, and a soccer international in Páirc Uí Chaoimh.
3 Jun
5:13PM
Slovenia:
Zala Meršnik; Lana Golob, Sara Agrež, Kaja Korošec, Dominika Čonč; Lara Prašnikar, Špela Kolbl, Sara Makovec, Kaja Eržen; Zara Kramžar, Maja Sternad.
3 Jun
5:32PM
Before kick-off, here’s some pre-match reading on Ireland v Slovenia:
Katie McCabe takes a throw for Ireland and the ball is tipped out for a corner which McCabe takes.
Brilliant floated delivery which comes to Saoirse Noonan and her effort is just tapped away.
3 Jun
6:03PM
3 mins: Ireland 0-0 Slovenia
Another good attack from Ireland almost puts Denise O’Sullivan through but the ball just gets away from her in the Slovenia box. Good start from Ireland, shows their intent to go after those four goals this evening.
3 Jun
6:06PM
6 mins: Ireland 0-0 Slovenia
A second Ireland corner on the opposite side. Megan Connolly takes it short to McCabe who lobs the ball in quickly. Patten rises and her header deflected out for another corner.
McCabe takes and again she finds Patten. She tries to volley the ball after a Noonan header but it’s saved.
More brilliant attacking intent from Ireland.
3 Jun
6:08PM
8 mins: Ireland 0-0 Slovenia
Slovenia get their first corner from their first real attack. It’s a long deliver in and Kyra Carua follows it all the way across and wins the throw in for Ireland.
Both sides struggling with the breeze that seems to be coming across the pitch.
3 Jun
6:12PM
12 mins: Ireland 0-0 Slovenia
Brilliant block from McCabe as she turns the ball over and launches an attack on the wing. She goes down after a challenge from Lara Prašnikar and the referee brings her over for a chat but no card.
McCabe is holding her face after taking a nasty hit off the ground and she goes off momentarily while receiving a bit of treatment but she’s back on and ready to go again.
3 Jun
6:13PM
12 mins: Ireland 0-0 Slovenia
Now McCabe is the one to get a talking to from the referee. She had won a free but must have said something which the referee didn’t like, and calls her to calm her down.
Play resumes and now Ireland have a free which McCabe will take and send in to the box to try and make something happen.
3 Jun
6:15PM
14 mins: Ireland 0-0 Slovenia
Free drops short and is booted away. Slovenia go hard on the counter and drive through the middle.
Brilliant work from Jessie Stapleton who times her slide perfectly to clip the ball away.
3 Jun
6:18PM
17 mins: Ireland 0-0 Slovenia
Ireland continue to trouble Slovenia as Connolly and O’Sullivan both get shots off. Neither come off as O’Sullivan’s effort just slices off her boot.
Ireland have another throw in Slovenia’s half which McCabe gives to Karusa and the ball goes out for another throw.
And it’s so deserved. It came from a Katie McCabe cross which went across the Slovenia penalty area. Jessie Stapleton sent the ball back in and Noonan got her head on it to smash the ball past Zala Mersnik.
One down, three to go.
3 Jun
6:25PM
25 mins: Ireland 1-0 Slovenia
IRELAND MISS!
Carusa the latest to take a shot at the Slovenia goal. Connolly whipped the ball in and Carusa was falling as she tried to drag her foot across the ball only to see it dribble out wide.
The offside flag was up as well.
Another chance falls to Carusa moments later after some brilliant work from Emily Murphy to carry the ball forward. Stapleton drops it onto Carusa’s head but there’s too much air under it.
3 Jun
6:27PM
26 mins: Ireland 1-0 Slovenia
Carusa in again as she swivels around her player. She feeds it back to McCabe who finds Murphy but the header lacks the power to trouble the keeper.
3 Jun
6:28PM
28 mins: Ireland 1-0 Slovenia
A brief stoppage as Abbie Larkin takes a nasty fall after an unfortunate coming together with Špela Kolbl. They both come off but it looks like they will be able to continue.
3 Jun
6:29PM
29 mins: Ireland 1-0 Slovenia
Another Ireland chance!
Connolly with the delivery and the ball in over the top just outruns Caitlin Hayes.
3 Jun
6:31PM
30 mins: Ireland 1-0 Slovenia
Yellow card for Maja Sternad for a late challenge on McCabe while she was trying to get a clearance out.
3 Jun
6:33PM
33 mins: Ireland 1-0 Slovenia
Murphy impresses again after an attempted clearance comes to her. She squares the ball, it comes to Connolly who tries to fire it first time from the edge of the box but it’s blocked away.
3 Jun
6:35PM
35 mins: Ireland 1-0 Slovenia
McCabe scuffs a pass and Slovenia counter. They try a ball in over the top but Ireland deal with it. Slovenia thought they should have been awarded a free. Their manager Sasa Kolman protests and the referee doesn’t like his behaviour and brandishes a yellow card.
3 Jun
6:38PM
38 mins: Ireland 1-0 Slovenia
Slovenia corner. It’s headed away from Noonan and O’Sullivan tries to chase the ball down.
Moment of danger follows as the delivery gets in behind Stapleton to Sara Makovec but luckily, the flag goes up.
3 Jun
6:40PM
39 mins: Ireland 1-0 Slovenia
Ireland get another corner. Connolly goes short to O’Sullivan. The ball goes into the back post which is cleared away but Murphy wins a free near midfield. She’s having a great first half.
Connolly doesn’t get under the free enough and the ball is cut out. Ireland get a throw but Slovenia win possession back.
They could really do with another goal before half-time.
3 Jun
6:41PM
41 mins: Ireland 1-0 Slovenia
Pass to Carusa is cut out for a throw. Ireland work the ball around and send it back to Patten. O’Sullivan and Murphy then combine and it’s another Ireland corner.
3 Jun
6:43PM
43 mins: Ireland 1-0 Slovenia
Possible shout for an Ireland penalty there. Connolly’s ball in found Carusa but she appeared to be pushed by the keeper as she was about to connect.
Patten then sneaks in for a shot at goal but her header goes out wide. She was being nudged as she made contact with the ball.
3 Jun
6:45PM
44 mins: Ireland 1-0 Slovenia
O’Sullivand Murphy link up again. Then Patten and Connolly with Noonan spinning the ball through on the turn but the good work in the one-twos is just missing that final product.
3 Jun
6:46PM
44 mins: Ireland 1-0 Slovenia
IRELAND SAVE!!
Lara Prašnikar sneaks through and releases a bullet but Courtney Brosnan gets down low and parries it away to safety.
3 Jun
6:49PM
48 mins: Ireland 1-0 Slovenia
Patten finds O’Sullivan in the middle who takes the ball through the middle with lots of power and pace. She tries to put the ball through to Larkin but there’s too much speed on the ball. Slovenia win it back.
Ireland are in front but they could have gotten so much more from that first half. Some really good interplay and attacking threat but they should have more than one goal at half-time.
Emily Murphy showing really well up front while Kyra Carusa has been on plenty of ball too. The struggles they had with containing counter-attacks last week seems to be under control although they did get caught with Sara Makovec getting in for a shot on target.
Ireland start the second half with a corner. Goalkeeper gets out to bat the ball away. It bobbles about before O’Sullivan pounces but the referee spots a handball and awards a free out.
3 Jun
7:06PM
48 mins: Ireland 1-0 Slovenia
Larkin gets the ball out wide and tries to drill a pass across the middle to O’Sullivan but her kick is intercepted.
Ireland turn the ball over again though and they’ve won a free from the edge of the square. McCabe to take.
3 Jun
7:09PM
50 mins: Ireland 1-0 Slovenia
She drops it in. Hayes heads it back in but the final touch doesn’t come and the ball comes out as far as Connolly who boots a high ball in. Patten and Stapleton go for it but again that final touch eludes them both.
3 Jun
7:11PM
53 mins: Ireland 1-0 Slovenia
Murphy turns the ball over but gives away a throw before winning the ball back again and Ireland have a free. The ball comes up to Noonan who tries to drive at Slovenia down the middle but a pass was probably the better option there.
Slovenia survive again.
3 Jun
7:14PM
55 mins: Ireland 1-0 Slovenia
Slovenia win a free which Kaja Korošec takes. O’Sullivan nips across to intercept it and Ireland are off again.
Murphy goes at the Slovenia defence and draws a foul from Dominika Čonč.
Another free for Ireland and another chance for McCabe to create something. The ball bounces out to Connolly but she loses the ball and fouls. Free out.
3 Jun
7:15PM
57 mins: Ireland 1-0 Slovenia
We can see Megan Campbell looks to be coming on soon.
3 Jun
7:17PM
58 mins: Ireland 1-0 Slovenia
Hayes and Brosnan work the ball over and back before Larkin receives a pass out wide. Ireland then get a throw on the opposite side and O’Sullivan wins a corner for Ireland.
3 Jun
7:18PM
59 mins: Ireland 1-0 Slovenia
OVER THE BAR!
Ireland go short and the ball comes to Connolly who tries one from the edge of the square but it was always rising.
3 Jun
7:19PM
60 mins: Ireland 1-0 Slovenia
Brilliant control from O’Sullivan as she keeps the ball in Slovenia territory. Another long ball goes in but it bounces into the hands of the keeper.
Ireland about to make a double substitution as a poor pass to Murphy invites a counter attack.
3 Jun
7:20PM
61 mins: Ireland 1-0 Slovenia
Ireland changes: Megan Campbell replaces Jessie Stapleton and Amber Barrett is on for Saoirse Noonan.
3 Jun
7:23PM
64 mins: Ireland 1-0 Slovenia
Ireland are obviously hoping for something from Campbell’s well known long throws.
Meanwhile, Murphy and O’Sullivan work the ball along to McCabe outside the box. An inviting cross then finds Carusa but she can’t get the header on it.
3 Jun
7:25PM
65 mins: Ireland 1-0 Slovenia
Campbell gets her chance to create something from the throw-in. Hayes can’t get the touch on it and the ball bounces out wide.
A Slovenia attack is then easily collected by Brosnan and the urgency in Ireland’s play is getting more and more obvious. They know they need goals fast.
3 Jun
7:25PM
67 mins: Ireland 1-0 Slovenia
Slovenia make a change: Nina Kajzba comes in for Sternad.
3 Jun
7:28PM
69 mins: Ireland 1-0 Slovenia
IRELAND MISS!
Patten takes a throw which comes to Carusa. She appeared to be fouled on the turn but the referee waves play on.
Ireland win the ball back from the Slovenia kickout and Murphy drives at the goal. She takes a shot at the near post which has plenty of power but she fires it over the crossbar.
3 Jun
7:28PM
70 mins: Ireland 1-0 Slovenia
The wind has died down in Páirc Uí Chaoimh but Ireland still only have one goal. Time is running out if they want to get three more.
3 Jun
7:30PM
72 mins: Ireland 1-0 Slovenia
Patten wins the Slovenia kickout and heads it towards O’Sullivan. Ireland win a free on the far side and Connolly is heading over to take.
3 Jun
7:32PM
73 mins: Ireland 1-0 Slovenia
ALMOST!
It’s a lovely delivery which was intended for Hayes but she just doesn’t get her head there in time. Another chance passes Ireland by and all the time, the clock is clicking down.
Slovenia get a corner at the other end and they will take their time here.
3 Jun
7:33PM
75 mins: Ireland 1-0 Slovenia
Brosnan takes and rolls it out to Campbell. McCabe carries the ball on the again and slips it through to Murphy.
She cuts back in and takes the shot which the keeper can’t keep hold of and Ireland have yet another penalty.
3 Jun
7:36PM
77 mins: Ireland 1-0 Slovenia
O’Sullivan gets on a loose ball, and just as she was about to advance, the referee blows the whistle for a Slovenia player who is down.
O’Sullivan is incensed and the crowd are not happy either.
3 Jun
7:39PM
80 mins: Ireland 1-0 Slovenia
Campbell sends in another long throw but the ball rolls out over the line.
Ireland changes: Louise Quinn is on for a final time, taking over from Abbie Larkin. Marissa Sheva replaces Kyra Carusa.
3 Jun
7:39PM
81 mins: Ireland 1-0 Slovenia
Attendance this evening is 9,433.
3 Jun
7:41PM
83 mins: Ireland 1-0 Slovenia
Murphy has been excellent all evening. She slips the ball back to Patten for a cross in which is deflected away to Hayes. O’Sullivan then steps up but she slips and handles the ball as she falls.
Free out is the result and the tiredness is starting to show. Ireland have battled hard all evening.
3 Jun
7:44PM
85 mins: Ireland 1-0 Slovenia
A bit of a needle develops along the sideline between Patten and Kaja Eržen. Yellow card for both as the frustration starts to show.
3 Jun
7:46PM
88 mins: Ireland 1-0 Slovenia
Two more Ireland chances. The first from a Campbell throw in that is claimed by no-one in the box but Slovenia manage to get it away.
Murphy then gets through again but her effort just falls into the arms of the keeper. It was perhaps a cross but either way, Slovenia take the ball away.
Heading for injury time now.
3 Jun
7:48PM
90 mins: Ireland 1-0 Slovenia
Nice back heel from Murphy to O’Sullivan. Ball eventually goes out for a throw to Slovenia.
Barrett then takes a heavy challenge from behind and gets a free.
3 Jun
7:49PM
90 mins: Ireland 1-0 Slovenia
Three minutes of added time announced and Carla Ward isn’t impressed. She thinks there should be more.
3 Jun
7:51PM
92 mins: Ireland 1-0 Slovenia
Ireland throw after some confusion as the sideline official initially indicated it was for Slovenia.
Campbell winds up and the ball bobbles around before O’Sullivan tries to hit it first time. The effort is deflected away. Time is almost up.
3 Jun
7:52PM
92 mins: Ireland 1-0 Slovenia
Another Campbell throw and this time it’s claimed by Zala Meršnik.
Ireland get the win in Páirc Uí Chaoimh but it’s not enough as they needed to win by at least four goals to take that automatic qualification to League A. It was always a difficult task and there were plenty of positives to take from that performance.
Saoirse Noonan’s goal was a symbol of Ireland’s impressive attacking intent. It was evident throughout the evening but final product just wouldn’t come.
The players surround Louise Quinn on what is her final Ireland appearance and it’s an emotional moment for them all.
Attention must now turn to the play-offs in October.
3 Jun
8:01PM
Ireland 1-0 Slovenia
Well, that’s all from us folks. Thanks for being with us and we hope to have you with us again soon.
Emma Duffy’s match report from Páirc Uí Chaoimh will be available to read shortly so do stick around for that.
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As it happened: Republic of Ireland v Slovenia, Nations League
Hello and welcome along to what could be a significant night for Irish women’s football.
A huge task awaits Carla Ward’s Republic of Ireland as they host Slovenia in a crunch Nations League tie.
Slovenia are currently leading Group B2 but if Ireland win by four goals or more tonight, they will leapfrog the visitors and secure automatic qualification to League A. If they fall short, they will go to the play-offs in October. We’ll be bringing you all the action live from a sunny and windy Páirc Uí Chaoimh.
We’ll have team line-ups for you shortly as we get closer to the 6pm kick-off.
Team News:
Ireland have made four changes to the side who defeated Türkiye last Friday.
Saoirse Noonan, Kyra Carusa, Caitlin Hayes and Emily Murphy all start as Amber Barrett, Marissa Sheva, Aoife Mannion and Lucy Quinn all make way.
IRELAND: Courtney Brosnan; Caitlin Hayes, Anna Patten, Jessie Stapleton; Abbie Larkin, Megan Connolly, Denise O’Sullivan, Emily Murphy, Katie McCabe; Saoirse Noonan, Kyra Carusa.
A nice piece of history happening this evening as Saoirse Noonan becomes the first person to play a competitive inter-county football match, and a soccer international in Páirc Uí Chaoimh.
Slovenia:
Zala Meršnik; Lana Golob, Sara Agrež, Kaja Korošec, Dominika Čonč; Lara Prašnikar, Špela Kolbl, Sara Makovec, Kaja Eržen; Zara Kramžar, Maja Sternad.
Before kick-off, here’s some pre-match reading on Ireland v Slovenia:
Something for the Cork fans this evening: Three home-grown talents – Denise O’Sullivan, Megan Connolly and Saoirse Noonan are in the starting line-up.
Clouds are starting to creep over Páirc Uí Chaoimh and the wind is not letting up.
Some Ireland fans ready for the game against Slovenia
Teams are out and it’s National Anthem time.
Tonight is Louise Quinn’s final game for Ireland as she heads into retirement. A presentation is made to the stalwart defender before kick-off.
Kick-Off! Ireland v Slovenia
2 mins: Ireland 0-0 Slovenia
Katie McCabe takes a throw for Ireland and the ball is tipped out for a corner which McCabe takes.
Brilliant floated delivery which comes to Saoirse Noonan and her effort is just tapped away.
3 mins: Ireland 0-0 Slovenia
Another good attack from Ireland almost puts Denise O’Sullivan through but the ball just gets away from her in the Slovenia box. Good start from Ireland, shows their intent to go after those four goals this evening.
6 mins: Ireland 0-0 Slovenia
A second Ireland corner on the opposite side. Megan Connolly takes it short to McCabe who lobs the ball in quickly. Patten rises and her header deflected out for another corner.
McCabe takes and again she finds Patten. She tries to volley the ball after a Noonan header but it’s saved.
More brilliant attacking intent from Ireland.
8 mins: Ireland 0-0 Slovenia
Slovenia get their first corner from their first real attack. It’s a long deliver in and Kyra Carua follows it all the way across and wins the throw in for Ireland.
Both sides struggling with the breeze that seems to be coming across the pitch.
12 mins: Ireland 0-0 Slovenia
Brilliant block from McCabe as she turns the ball over and launches an attack on the wing. She goes down after a challenge from Lara Prašnikar and the referee brings her over for a chat but no card.
McCabe is holding her face after taking a nasty hit off the ground and she goes off momentarily while receiving a bit of treatment but she’s back on and ready to go again.
12 mins: Ireland 0-0 Slovenia
Now McCabe is the one to get a talking to from the referee. She had won a free but must have said something which the referee didn’t like, and calls her to calm her down.
Play resumes and now Ireland have a free which McCabe will take and send in to the box to try and make something happen.
14 mins: Ireland 0-0 Slovenia
Free drops short and is booted away. Slovenia go hard on the counter and drive through the middle.
Brilliant work from Jessie Stapleton who times her slide perfectly to clip the ball away.
17 mins: Ireland 0-0 Slovenia
Ireland continue to trouble Slovenia as Connolly and O’Sullivan both get shots off. Neither come off as O’Sullivan’s effort just slices off her boot.
Ireland have another throw in Slovenia’s half which McCabe gives to Karusa and the ball goes out for another throw.
GOAL! Ireland 1-0 Slovenia (Saoirse Noonan ’19)
Ireland 1-0 Slovenia
IRELAND LEAD!
And it’s so deserved. It came from a Katie McCabe cross which went across the Slovenia penalty area. Jessie Stapleton sent the ball back in and Noonan got her head on it to smash the ball past Zala Mersnik.
One down, three to go.
25 mins: Ireland 1-0 Slovenia
IRELAND MISS!
Carusa the latest to take a shot at the Slovenia goal. Connolly whipped the ball in and Carusa was falling as she tried to drag her foot across the ball only to see it dribble out wide.
The offside flag was up as well.
Another chance falls to Carusa moments later after some brilliant work from Emily Murphy to carry the ball forward. Stapleton drops it onto Carusa’s head but there’s too much air under it.
26 mins: Ireland 1-0 Slovenia
Carusa in again as she swivels around her player. She feeds it back to McCabe who finds Murphy but the header lacks the power to trouble the keeper.
28 mins: Ireland 1-0 Slovenia
A brief stoppage as Abbie Larkin takes a nasty fall after an unfortunate coming together with Špela Kolbl. They both come off but it looks like they will be able to continue.
29 mins: Ireland 1-0 Slovenia
Another Ireland chance!
Connolly with the delivery and the ball in over the top just outruns Caitlin Hayes.
30 mins: Ireland 1-0 Slovenia
Yellow card for Maja Sternad for a late challenge on McCabe while she was trying to get a clearance out.
33 mins: Ireland 1-0 Slovenia
Murphy impresses again after an attempted clearance comes to her. She squares the ball, it comes to Connolly who tries to fire it first time from the edge of the box but it’s blocked away.
35 mins: Ireland 1-0 Slovenia
McCabe scuffs a pass and Slovenia counter. They try a ball in over the top but Ireland deal with it. Slovenia thought they should have been awarded a free. Their manager Sasa Kolman protests and the referee doesn’t like his behaviour and brandishes a yellow card.
38 mins: Ireland 1-0 Slovenia
Slovenia corner. It’s headed away from Noonan and O’Sullivan tries to chase the ball down.
Moment of danger follows as the delivery gets in behind Stapleton to Sara Makovec but luckily, the flag goes up.
39 mins: Ireland 1-0 Slovenia
Ireland get another corner. Connolly goes short to O’Sullivan. The ball goes into the back post which is cleared away but Murphy wins a free near midfield. She’s having a great first half.
Connolly doesn’t get under the free enough and the ball is cut out. Ireland get a throw but Slovenia win possession back.
They could really do with another goal before half-time.
41 mins: Ireland 1-0 Slovenia
Pass to Carusa is cut out for a throw. Ireland work the ball around and send it back to Patten. O’Sullivan and Murphy then combine and it’s another Ireland corner.
43 mins: Ireland 1-0 Slovenia
Possible shout for an Ireland penalty there. Connolly’s ball in found Carusa but she appeared to be pushed by the keeper as she was about to connect.
Patten then sneaks in for a shot at goal but her header goes out wide. She was being nudged as she made contact with the ball.
44 mins: Ireland 1-0 Slovenia
O’Sullivand Murphy link up again. Then Patten and Connolly with Noonan spinning the ball through on the turn but the good work in the one-twos is just missing that final product.
44 mins: Ireland 1-0 Slovenia
IRELAND SAVE!!
Lara Prašnikar sneaks through and releases a bullet but Courtney Brosnan gets down low and parries it away to safety.
48 mins: Ireland 1-0 Slovenia
Patten finds O’Sullivan in the middle who takes the ball through the middle with lots of power and pace. She tries to put the ball through to Larkin but there’s too much speed on the ball. Slovenia win it back.
Three minutes of added time almost up.
She should have gone for it herself.
Half-Time! Ireland 1-0 Slovenia
Here’s that Saoirse Noonan goal
Ireland 1-0 Slovenia
Ireland are in front but they could have gotten so much more from that first half. Some really good interplay and attacking threat but they should have more than one goal at half-time.
Emily Murphy showing really well up front while Kyra Carusa has been on plenty of ball too. The struggles they had with containing counter-attacks last week seems to be under control although they did get caught with Sara Makovec getting in for a shot on target.
Second half: Ireland 1-0 Slovenia
47 mins: Ireland 1-0 Slovenia
Ireland start the second half with a corner. Goalkeeper gets out to bat the ball away. It bobbles about before O’Sullivan pounces but the referee spots a handball and awards a free out.
48 mins: Ireland 1-0 Slovenia
Larkin gets the ball out wide and tries to drill a pass across the middle to O’Sullivan but her kick is intercepted.
Ireland turn the ball over again though and they’ve won a free from the edge of the square. McCabe to take.
50 mins: Ireland 1-0 Slovenia
She drops it in. Hayes heads it back in but the final touch doesn’t come and the ball comes out as far as Connolly who boots a high ball in. Patten and Stapleton go for it but again that final touch eludes them both.
53 mins: Ireland 1-0 Slovenia
Murphy turns the ball over but gives away a throw before winning the ball back again and Ireland have a free. The ball comes up to Noonan who tries to drive at Slovenia down the middle but a pass was probably the better option there.
Slovenia survive again.
55 mins: Ireland 1-0 Slovenia
Slovenia win a free which Kaja Korošec takes. O’Sullivan nips across to intercept it and Ireland are off again.
Murphy goes at the Slovenia defence and draws a foul from Dominika Čonč.
Another free for Ireland and another chance for McCabe to create something. The ball bounces out to Connolly but she loses the ball and fouls. Free out.
57 mins: Ireland 1-0 Slovenia
We can see Megan Campbell looks to be coming on soon.
58 mins: Ireland 1-0 Slovenia
Hayes and Brosnan work the ball over and back before Larkin receives a pass out wide. Ireland then get a throw on the opposite side and O’Sullivan wins a corner for Ireland.
59 mins: Ireland 1-0 Slovenia
OVER THE BAR!
Ireland go short and the ball comes to Connolly who tries one from the edge of the square but it was always rising.
60 mins: Ireland 1-0 Slovenia
Brilliant control from O’Sullivan as she keeps the ball in Slovenia territory. Another long ball goes in but it bounces into the hands of the keeper.
Ireland about to make a double substitution as a poor pass to Murphy invites a counter attack.
61 mins: Ireland 1-0 Slovenia
Ireland changes: Megan Campbell replaces Jessie Stapleton and Amber Barrett is on for Saoirse Noonan.
64 mins: Ireland 1-0 Slovenia
Ireland are obviously hoping for something from Campbell’s well known long throws.
Meanwhile, Murphy and O’Sullivan work the ball along to McCabe outside the box. An inviting cross then finds Carusa but she can’t get the header on it.
65 mins: Ireland 1-0 Slovenia
Campbell gets her chance to create something from the throw-in. Hayes can’t get the touch on it and the ball bounces out wide.
A Slovenia attack is then easily collected by Brosnan and the urgency in Ireland’s play is getting more and more obvious. They know they need goals fast.
67 mins: Ireland 1-0 Slovenia
Slovenia make a change: Nina Kajzba comes in for Sternad.
69 mins: Ireland 1-0 Slovenia
IRELAND MISS!
Patten takes a throw which comes to Carusa. She appeared to be fouled on the turn but the referee waves play on.
Ireland win the ball back from the Slovenia kickout and Murphy drives at the goal. She takes a shot at the near post which has plenty of power but she fires it over the crossbar.
70 mins: Ireland 1-0 Slovenia
The wind has died down in Páirc Uí Chaoimh but Ireland still only have one goal. Time is running out if they want to get three more.
72 mins: Ireland 1-0 Slovenia
Patten wins the Slovenia kickout and heads it towards O’Sullivan. Ireland win a free on the far side and Connolly is heading over to take.
73 mins: Ireland 1-0 Slovenia
ALMOST!
It’s a lovely delivery which was intended for Hayes but she just doesn’t get her head there in time. Another chance passes Ireland by and all the time, the clock is clicking down.
Slovenia get a corner at the other end and they will take their time here.
75 mins: Ireland 1-0 Slovenia
Brosnan takes and rolls it out to Campbell. McCabe carries the ball on the again and slips it through to Murphy.
She cuts back in and takes the shot which the keeper can’t keep hold of and Ireland have yet another penalty.
77 mins: Ireland 1-0 Slovenia
O’Sullivan gets on a loose ball, and just as she was about to advance, the referee blows the whistle for a Slovenia player who is down.
O’Sullivan is incensed and the crowd are not happy either.
80 mins: Ireland 1-0 Slovenia
Campbell sends in another long throw but the ball rolls out over the line.
Ireland changes: Louise Quinn is on for a final time, taking over from Abbie Larkin. Marissa Sheva replaces Kyra Carusa.
81 mins: Ireland 1-0 Slovenia
Attendance this evening is 9,433.
83 mins: Ireland 1-0 Slovenia
Murphy has been excellent all evening. She slips the ball back to Patten for a cross in which is deflected away to Hayes. O’Sullivan then steps up but she slips and handles the ball as she falls.
Free out is the result and the tiredness is starting to show. Ireland have battled hard all evening.
85 mins: Ireland 1-0 Slovenia
A bit of a needle develops along the sideline between Patten and Kaja Eržen. Yellow card for both as the frustration starts to show.
88 mins: Ireland 1-0 Slovenia
Two more Ireland chances. The first from a Campbell throw in that is claimed by no-one in the box but Slovenia manage to get it away.
Murphy then gets through again but her effort just falls into the arms of the keeper. It was perhaps a cross but either way, Slovenia take the ball away.
Heading for injury time now.
90 mins: Ireland 1-0 Slovenia
Nice back heel from Murphy to O’Sullivan. Ball eventually goes out for a throw to Slovenia.
Barrett then takes a heavy challenge from behind and gets a free.
90 mins: Ireland 1-0 Slovenia
Three minutes of added time announced and Carla Ward isn’t impressed. She thinks there should be more.
92 mins: Ireland 1-0 Slovenia
Ireland throw after some confusion as the sideline official initially indicated it was for Slovenia.
Campbell winds up and the ball bobbles around before O’Sullivan tries to hit it first time. The effort is deflected away. Time is almost up.
92 mins: Ireland 1-0 Slovenia
Another Campbell throw and this time it’s claimed by Zala Meršnik.
Full-Time! Ireland 1-0 Slovenia
Ireland 1-0 Slovenia
Ireland get the win in Páirc Uí Chaoimh but it’s not enough as they needed to win by at least four goals to take that automatic qualification to League A. It was always a difficult task and there were plenty of positives to take from that performance.
Saoirse Noonan’s goal was a symbol of Ireland’s impressive attacking intent. It was evident throughout the evening but final product just wouldn’t come.
The players surround Louise Quinn on what is her final Ireland appearance and it’s an emotional moment for them all.
Attention must now turn to the play-offs in October.
Ireland 1-0 Slovenia
Well, that’s all from us folks. Thanks for being with us and we hope to have you with us again soon.
Emma Duffy’s match report from Páirc Uí Chaoimh will be available to read shortly so do stick around for that.
Bye for now.
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Minute-by-Minute Nations League Republic Of Ireland Slovenia WNT