Good evening, and welcome along to our live coverage of the Republic of Ireland’s Uefa Women’s Nations League clash against Hungary in Budapest.
Ireland opened their campaign — and the post Vera Pauw era — with an historic 3-0 win over Northern Ireland at the Aviva Stadium on Saturday.
They’re heavy favourites to make it two wins from two this evening, and to assume complete control of Group B1.
Kick-off at Hidegkuti Nándor Stadium is 6.30pm, with the action live on RTÉ Two. But we’ll have everything you need to know right here.
Team news
STARTING XI | Hungary v Ireland
— Ireland Football ⚽️🇮🇪 (@IrelandFootball) September 26, 2023
Lily Agg comes into the starting line-up 🙌
Kyra Carusa and Lucy Quinn remain as our duo up front 🫡#COYGIG | #WeAreOne | #OUTBELIEVE pic.twitter.com/6SiOVNAvnm
Interim Ireland head coach Eileen Gleeson has made one change to the XI that beat Northern Ireland. Lily Agg, goal-scorer off the bench, starts ahead of Megan Connolly.
Diane Caldwell wins her 99th cap in the back three alongside Louise Quinn and new recruit Caitlin Hayes. Captain Katie McCabe and Heather Payne are the wide players, with Agg joining Tyler Toland in the middle. Lucy Quinn and Kyra Carusa are the front two again, with Denise O’Sullivan expected to play behind them at 10. And the ever-present Courtney Brosnan is in goal.
Marissa Sheva and Éabha O’Mahony miss out on the matchday 23 this time, along with Savannah McCarthy. Saoirse Noonan and Hayley Nolan take their respective places on the bench.
Republic of Ireland: Courtney Brosnan; Caitlin Hayes, Louise Quinn, Diane Caldwell; Heather Payne, Tyler Toland, Lily Agg, Katie McCabe; Denise O’Sullivan; Lucy Quinn, Kyra Carusa.
Not great…
Hungary v Ireland match programme, with pic of Northern Ireland. pic.twitter.com/6aBKPD7BUk
— Owen Cowzer (@OCowzer) September 26, 2023
Team news
Hungary have changed it up from their 1-1 draw with group minnows Albania last week.
Hungary: Reka Szocs; Laura Kovacs, Luca Papp, Lilla Turanyi, Hanna Nemeth, Laura Palakovics; Dora Zeller, Dora Sule, Evelin Fenyvesi (capt), Viktoria Szabo; Zsanette Kajan.
Slovakia’s Zuzana Valentová is the referee this evening.
ONTO THE NEXT one.
After the razzmatazz of an Aviva Stadium showdown and historic win over Northern Ireland, another challenge awaits amidst a much lower-profile trip to Budapest.
But the focus and expectation remains the same: a second quick-fire win in three days as the Republic of Ireland look to assume complete control of Group B1 in the Uefa Women’s Nations League.
Eileen Gleeson’s side are favourites once again for tonight’s clash against Hungary at Hidegkuti Nándor Stadium [KO 6.30pm Irish time, live on RTÉ 2].
That tag certainly didn’t weigh heavily against the North on Saturday, though it’s something the team must get used to…
You can read our full match preview here.
And there’s plenty more Republic of Ireland women’s national team coverage, including this new era analysis piece, in our soccer vertical.
Back in white tonight 💪#COYGIG | #WeAreOne | #OUTBELIEVE pic.twitter.com/k2mMpThn4D
— Ireland Football ⚽️🇮🇪 (@IrelandFootball) September 26, 2023
Kick-off in Budapest is just over 10 minutes away. Time to call it.
Who you got?
Poll Results:
The teams are out on the pitch at Hidegkuti Nándor Stadium, time for the pre-match formalities.
Thankfully, they managed to play the right anthem after the programme faux pas as Amhrán na bhFiann rings out around the ground. Reports of a few Irish fans present, but a crowd of less than 1,000 is expected.
Almost ready to go…
Hungary 0-0 Republic of Ireland
Kick-off: Ireland, wearing white, get us underway in Budapest.
Hungary 0-0 Republic of Ireland
2 mins: Scrappy enough start, but Ireland will be looking to string some passages of possession together now. Katie McCane with a cross from the left that doesn’t quite reach Kyra Carusa, and Hungary clear their lines.
Hungary 0-0 Republic of Ireland
4 mins: The shaky start continues as Tyler Toland plays a cross-field pass to Diane Caldwell, but she can’t get to it. First shot (?) of the game, as Courtney Brosnan claims Laura Palakovics’ miscued ball into the box.
Hungary 0-0 Republic of Ireland
6 mins: Ireland look to get motoring, with Denise O’Sullivan and Lily Agg central but a pass from the former goes beyond Heather Payne as they struggle to get a foothold. Similar to the cagey start at the Aviva Stadium, but Hungary are playing the ball around nicely, in fairness.
Hungary 0-0 Republic of Ireland
8 mins: Decent break from Ireland as Heather Payne squares across the box, but it’s just ahead of Lucy Quinn. Lily Agg and Diane Caldwell both win free-kicks, the former taking a bang to the face but is all good.
Hungary 0-0 Republic of Ireland
10 mins: CLOSE! Heather Payne lets fly and hits the crossbar, it looks like Hungarian goalkeeper Reka Sxocx got a touch but the referee awards a kick-out rather than a corner. Just before that, Hungary were pinged for offside, Ireland’s line standing firm.
Hungary 0-0 Republic of Ireland
13 mins: Brosnan confidently claims a teasing ball into the box. On the restart, a Hungarian player sees yellow for a jersey pull on McCabe. Szocs similarly claims the Irish captain’s resultant free kick, swung in from the middle of the field on the left.
Hungary 0-0 Republic of Ireland
15 mins: Lucy Quinn flashes well wide as McCabe changes it up from a free-kick, playing to feet from a similar position on the other side. It was won by Payne. McCabe clearly being targetted here: Zeller, who got the earlier yellow, clearly kicks her to cut out a counter-attack from deep.
Hungary 0-0 Republic of Ireland
17 mins: Laura Kovacs puts in a superb last-ditch block to deny Kyra Carusa. O’Sullivan played the US-born striker in with an inch-perfect through ball. Scramble after the subsequent corner, but nothing comes off it.
GOAL! Republic of Ireland 1-0 Hungary (Caitlin Hayes 18)
Hayes with her first senior international goal on her second cap. Katie McCabe was the provider with a perfect delivery from the right, and the Celtic defender popped up with a bullet header at the back post.
Republic of Ireland 1-0 Hungary
22 mins: Ireland have found their feet, buoyed by that Hayes goal. They’re running the show here in Budapest, bar a few misplaced passes, the latest from Agg to Payne. Denise O’Sullivan has been excellent so far.
Here’s the goal that has Ireland in front:
Deadlock broken! And it's Caitlin Hayes, her first international goal on just her second appearance. The Girls in Green are 1-0 ahead.#RTESoccer
— RTÉ Soccer (@RTEsoccer) September 26, 2023
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Republic of Ireland 1-0 Hungary
27 mins: Ireland are playing very well here, it must be said. Hungary are staying compact and sitting deep, but the visitors are playing the ball around nicely, patiently looking for an opening. Tyler Toland with the latest shot of the game but it’s well wayward.
Republic of Ireland 1-0 Hungary
30 mins: Hungary are enjoying a spell of possession here, but Ireland cut out any danger. They’re trying to use the wide areas, but McCabe and Payne have them well patrolled with the back three largely untroubled thus far.
Republic of Ireland 1-0 Hungary
33 mins: Hungary’s first corner of the game is claimed by Brosnan. Ireland back to playing the ball around, dragging the hosts around the pitch. Caitlin Hayes really composed in defence, such a promising start to life in the Ireland jersey.
Republic of Ireland 1-0 Hungary
35 mins: Agg back on her feet after taking a knock. Toland with a few misdirected passes in the last few minutes, but has been trying to build on her memorable return against Northern Ireland otherwise.
Republic of Ireland 1-0 Hungary
39 mins: Hungary cut out a promising Ireland attack, with O’Sullivan again central to it. The last few minutes have been sloppy, with Toland and Agg in particular struggling at times. Eileen Gleeson’s side will hope to finish the half strongly.
GOAL! Republic of Ireland 2-0 Hungary (Katie McCabe 42)
Ooooffffft. What a goal from Katie McCabe. Incredible strike, the Ireland captain just letting fly from distance.
Just beforehand, Ireland had been calling for a free for a challenge on Denise O’Sullivan. Hungary were trying to play it out but McCabe intercepted and had a go with her second touch.
HT: Republic of Ireland 2-0 Hungary
Halfway there in Hungary, and everything going as expected. Caitlin Hayes and Katie McCabe with the goals after a comfortable 45 minutes for Eileen Gleeson’s Ireland.
Hayes’ first international goal was a bullet header, with McCabe going from provider to scorer just before the break with a superb strike. Scrappy and sloppy at times, but there was a bit more fluency to Ireland’s play towards the end of the half. They’ll look to pick up where they left off on the restart.
Here’s Katie McCabe’s goal that has Ireland 2-0 up in Budapest:
Katie McCabe has caught the Hungarian keeper napping and made it 2-0 Ireland with a sorching strike from distance. #RTESoccer
— RTÉ Soccer (@RTEsoccer) September 26, 2023
📺 Watch Live 👉 https://t.co/2W5kFtUgZE
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📱 Follow Updates: 👉 https://t.co/c5dHi6t3Pt pic.twitter.com/yl6JqNI6ye
Republic of Ireland 2-0 Hungary
Second half: Hungary get us up and running again, the hosts making a few changes at the break. We’ll bring them to you once we get them.
Izzy Atkinson is on for Lucy Quinn meanwhile, presumably allowing Katie McCabe to play further forward and more centrally.
Republic of Ireland 2-0 Hungary
48 mins: Atkinson gets involved nice and early with some promising running on the ball. She finds O’Sullivan, who looks to switch to Payne but the ball wins and crosses the sideline.
GOAL! Republic of Ireland 3-0 Hungary (Kyra Carusa 49)
Carusa with her second goal in two games, a brilliantly-placed header. Payne with the cross from the right and Carusa nods home past the at-sea Szocs.
She had a call for a penalty waved on just beforehand, having got on the end of brilliant first-time through ball from Atkinson. Referee claimed the Hungarian got the ball, not that that matters now.
Republic of Ireland 3-0 Hungary
52 mins: Ireland turning on the style in attack here, though their latest body of work was interrupted by the offside flag. Carusa had played O’Sullivan through but the Corkwoman was pinged. Atkinson with another superb delivery from the left, but it’s just ahead of Carusa.
Republic of Ireland 3-0 Hungary
54 mins: Hayes surges up field, but her cross ends up nestling on the top of the Hungarian goal. She concedes a corner at the other end, but Brosnan again shows her dominance in the air to claim the inswinger. Bit of a collision there, but she’s up and at it again.
Two Ireland changes: Abbie Larkin for Heather Payne, and Megan Connolly replaces Lily Agg.
Republic of Ireland 3-0 Hungary
59 mins: Brosnan comfortably gathers Zsanett Kaján’s tame shot, before Ireland go close again at the other end. Great interplay on the right wing between Abbie Larkin and O’Sullivan before Larkin whips it in and Carusa’s header crashes off the post. The flag, perhaps questionably, is up though.
Republic of Ireland 3-0 Hungary
63 mins: Brosnan makes light work of another set-piece as she comfortably claims Dora Zellar’s effort. Louise Quinn had conceded with a slightly over-zealous effort to recover the ball. Brosnan’s commands echoing around the stadium shows how small the crowd is.
Republic of Ireland 3-0 Hungary
66 mins: Papp spots Ireland’s goalkeeper slightly off her line as she gets on the end of a poor Toland pass but her long-range shot sails over Brosnan’s bar. Ireland had been playing it out from the back really well until that Toland mistake.
Republic of Ireland 3-0 Hungary
68 mins: Ireland have an aggressive high press on, making Hungary work to get out of their own half. They’re moving it quick on the attack then, trying to find the wide areas with the excellent O’Sullivan at the heart of everything good they do.
GOAL! Republic of Ireland 4-0 Hungary (Denise O’Sullivan 70)
Right on cue! Connolly wins the ball and finds Carusa on the right, who cuts back to the onrushing O’Sullivan on the edge of the box. The Cork star slots home, putting the icing on top of her excellent performance tonight.
Republic of Ireland 4-0 Hungary
73 mins: Hungary look to respond at the other end, with Brosnan forced to make her first real save of this game. She goes low down to her left after substitite Vachter gets in behind.
Amber Barrett comes in for Carusa, who took a knock to the head moments beforehand. Hungary also made a change, will update if I find it.
Republic of Ireland 4-0 Hungary
76 mins: Pápai flashes wide after Hungary open their visitors up slightly. Caitlin Hayes sees yellow for an unnecessary tug on Savanya well out the field — the teenage striker is the player who came in for Fenyvesi.
Jamie Finn looks set to come on here.
Confirmation of that Ireland substitution as Finn comes in for Tyler Toland. Great to see the Birmingham City player back on the field, and Gleeson ringing the changes with Atkinson, Larkin and Barrett all handed opportunities off the bench alongside regular starter Megan Connolly.
Republic of Ireland 4-0 Hungary
80 mins: Larkin showing the defensive side of her game with a big challenge, nothing comes off the corner she concedes. Ireland on the hunt for a fifth before the 90 here.
Republic of Ireland 4-0 Hungary
83 mins: Atkinson brings Zeller for a run down the left, but the Hungarian recovers to win the ball back. They’re certainly not giving up here, and have just won a corner after Hayes’ tackle. O’Sullivan is stopped by Papp on the break as she clears Ireland’s lines, the Hungary centre-half seeing yellow. It’s her second card in two games and sees her miss their next meeting with Northern Ireland.
Republic of Ireland 4-0 Hungary
85 mins: Ireland cut Hungary open once more, McCabe with a chance in the box but she’s kept out. Megan Connolly sees yellow for a tug at the other end, but Zeller’s free-kick ultimately ricochets off the wall.
Denise O’Sullivan gets the nod for Player of the Match from Méabh De Búrca on RTÉ.
Republic of Ireland 4-0 Hungary
88 mins: Stop-start last few minutes here with no shortage of breaks in play between fouls, frees and injuries. Nothing major to report for Ireland, thankfully as they look to see out another professional performance.
It’s 0-0 between Northern Ireland and Albania in tonight’s other game in Group B1. 58 minutes gone in Seaview.
Three additional minutes in Budapest.
Republic of Ireland 4-0 Hungary
90+2mins: Brosnan with some comfortable clearances in the closing stages. Hungary make a late change, with Nagy coming on.
Republic of Ireland 4-0 Hungary
90+3 mins: Nagy makes her impact felt straight away but her shot is straight at Brosnan. Barrett is pinged for offside after a tangle at the other end, and that should be that really.
FT: Republic of Ireland 4-0 Hungary
Olé, olé rings out around the stadium, job done for Ireland. Two wins from two and another convincing performance as they sit top of Group B1. Caitlin Hayes, Katie McCabe, Kyra Carusa and Denise O’Sullivan with the goals — all from open play — and another clean sheet for Courtney Brosnan.
Elsewhere, it’s 1-0 to Northern Ireland in Belfast.
Another convincing win and encouraging performance as Ireland’s bright start to the Nations League and new era continues. Four goals - all from open play - with Hayes, McCabe, Carusa and POTM O’Sullivan on the scoresheet. 7 scored, 0 conceded. Plenty of positives 🇮🇪
— Emma Duffy (@emmaduffy_) September 26, 2023
That’s all from our liveblog, Gavin Cooney’s report is up on The42 and we’ll have plenty of reaction and analysis on the site over the next few hours and days.
Thanks for reading – goodnight!
