“BE RUTHLESS. KILL it off.”
That’s the overarching message from Eileen Gleeson as Ireland round off their opening Euro 2025 play-off against Georgia at a sold-out Tallaght Stadium tonight [KO 7.30pm, live on RTÉ 2].
The second leg is but a formality as Ireland carry in a 6-0 lead from Tbilisi. Another landslide win is expected as the Girls In Green take another step towards qualifying for their first-ever European Championships.
The final hurdle comes in the form of another two-legged play-off against Slovakia or Wales on 29 November and 3 December. The winners book their golden ticket to Euro 2025.
Ireland only have Georgia on their mind, as Gleeson and her players continue to stress, but arguably, the more important game tonight is in Cardiff. Wales are looking to overturn a shock 2-1 deficit to the lower-ranked Slovaks.
That game kicks off 15 minutes before Ireland’s, and it’s worth keeping a close eye on. While take two at Tallaght is basically a foregone conclusion, anything could happen across the water.
Ireland are happy to observe from afar, opting against sending a scout to Cardiff City Stadium.
There’s room for improvement against Georgia, who sit 94 places below them in the Fifa World Rankings. Friday’s first half in Tbilisi was frustrating, the visitors held until a 36th-minute Katie McCabe penalty.
She and Kyra Carusa scored either side of the hour-mark before the floodgates opened late on, with Jessie Stapleton, Marissa Sheva and Aoife Mannion bagging their first international goals to put the gloss on the win.
“We need to start strong and hopefully score goals early and really enjoy the night,” Gleeson told The 42 yesterday, while captain McCabe added:
“We want to start the game how we finished Friday which was a lot more controlled, patient. We connected our play a lot better in the second half, had a bit more urgency about us, and were clinical.
“We have to be on the same page in what we do going forward and in our structure, in our play. We showed that a lot better in the second half. It’s about concentrating on ourselves and starting with intensity in our play. It’s on us to stay in control.”
Gleeson says she will start a strong XI, but has plans to rotate and give young players minutes as the game wears on. The returning Ellen Molloy and uncapped Cork City captain Eva Mangan are among those who could benefit in that regard.
Number one goalkeeper Courtney Brosnan is in line to come straight back into the XI following her suspension, but this dead rubber could offer further opportunity for Grace Moloney or a debut for Sophie Whitehouse.
A repeat of Friday’s 3-5-2 formation is most likely, but there are chances for experimentation here. Caitlin Hayes, Anna Patten and Aoife Mannion were the back three, but Niamh Fahey is among the other options as Diane Caldwell remains an injury doubt.
Jessie Stapleton could come in as a holding midfielder in place of Tyler Toland, who was booked on Friday night and risks suspension with two yellow cards ruling players out of the next round.
“Jessie has versatility and is definitely in with a shout of playing,” said Gleeson of the Sunderland teenager, on loan from West Ham.
“She’s very good on the ball and can link play. She’s a very mature young player. Confidence is really under-pinned by competence… I think we’ll see her back in the WSL next season.”
Denise O’Sullivan and Lily Agg were the more advanced midfield partnership, while Abbie Larkin and McCabe started out wide. The latter pair starred — Larkin as Player of the Match and McCabe with two goals and two assists, but the captain was more effective when she moved centrally for the second half.
That switch was with Julie-Ann Russell, who was deployed in a front two with Kyra Carusa. There could be change here, with Leanne Kiernan among those itching to come in.
Marissa Sheva did her case no harm with an impressive showing on her international comeback, while Heather Payne will be hoping for minutes after being overlooked on Friday.
Expect more of the same from Georgia. The Eastern European minnows will sit deep and compact, with a back five, trying to frustrate Ireland once more — on and off the ball.
Iris Antman’s improving side will welcome Teona Bakradze and Nino Bukhrikidze back from suspension, while and Natia Danelia and Ana Cheminava will look to lead any rare forays into the Irish half.
All eyes will be on the goalkeeper: will Tatia Gabunia be retained? She will be haunted by some of Friday’s goals, McCabe’s long-range strike in particular, but she did pull off some good saves early on.
Ireland will be looking to bypass whoever is between the posts and start the rout early.
“It’s a sold out crowd,” McCabe smiled, with a nod to the 10,000-plus fans due in Tallaght tonight, should all tickets be used.
“Our objective is to put on a good show for them as well.”
That would bring Ireland another step closer to their Euro 2025 dream, but much bigger ones await.
- Ireland v Georgia, Euro 2025 play-off first round second leg, Tallaght Stadium, KO 7.30pm, RTÉ 2.
Seems really odd that people give them no chance.
Australia is not a great team and while they have shipped big loses this year, they’ve also got some good wins and in the games they lost (even the thrashing in Argentina) they had great patches. They beat England in Twickenham a couple of weeks ago. And they’re managed by Joe Schmidt. Of course they have a chance.
Even Harry Potter ain’t magiking a win at landsdowne…
@Stuart: Spirintionious Downderighticus Indecorneronious
If Joe can gather his best troops, Bell, Tupou, Faessler, Frost, Valentini, McReight and most of all, the big man who has been Leinster’s nemesis, Aussie may have a chance, but only a chance.
This game will epitomise the old adage “Forwards win matches, Backs decide by how much”. The Irish pack is better than Australia. Ergo, Ireland should win. But competitive sport is different. Momentum is enormously important. Ireland go into this game with it and Farrell knows how to maintain it.
Joe will try to ambush Ireland, tactically. But Faz & this Irish team have been around the block enough times to prepare for that.
Ireland to win.
No chance
Not alone will Australia win they will win big. Ireland has no chance against one of the best teams in the world. Ireland are only ranked 7th in the raynkings. Australia are up in second behind England. What hope is there for Ireland. Farrell is a fraud and Ireland are a shambles. They have conceded a massive 3 tries in 3 games, you can’t defend that sort of mediocrity.
@anthony davoren: Is that the All seeing, knowing and Powerful Oracle Ray Ridge speaking through the medium of Horse****
@anthony davoren: Anthony I think your account has been hacked. It might be the head of Russian counter intelligence – Рэймонд Ридж
@Caballo Blanco: I find if you get in ahead of Nostraridgenus with his nonsensical comments it limits the rubbish he comes out with from his multiple accounts
@Paul Ennis: I’m a priority one target lol
@anthony davoren: 4 tries in 3 games but ya australia should win this by 50
@anthony davoren: Brilliant answer I love it. Mr Ridge also thinks both Australia and Scotland will beat Ireland which is pretty laughable punditry. I listened to an Eddie O’sullivan podcast and he calls Australia’s defence the most passive drift defence in the world and they’re tackling pathetic against Scotland which i tend to agree with. Ireland could potentially put a small Cricket score on Aus if they do they’re homework in defence and attack in the right channels.
@Shanie: Read Antony’s post again Shane he’s being quite Witty regarding Mr Ridge !!!
This will be a bridge too far for him but if he keeps up this positive momentum they just might cause an upset for one of the tests.
@bee bop: Lions tests I mean
No