Hello and welcome along to our live coverage of Ireland v Poland at the Aviva Stadium. 

Kick off is at 3pm. 

Carla Ward’s side have the upper hand at half-time of this double header, after an impressive 3-2 win in Gdańsk on Tuesday.

Another win today would see Ireland take a massive step in their dream of reaching back to back World Cup finals.

Ireland are third in the group, and another three points today would all but consolidate that spot.

Only the group winners qualify automatically for next summer’s bonanza in Brazil, with play-off spots guaranteed for everyone else. But second- and third-placed finishes yield easier routes, on paper at least, with the bottom side facing higher-ranked opposition earlier, as well as being relegated from League A for the next Nations League campaign.

Team news courstesy of Emma Duffy, whose match report and analysis you can read on The 42 after full time:

One Ireland change – Kyra Carusa returns from illness to start ahead of Abbie Larkin.

Two Poland changes – Nadia Krezyman, suspended Tuesday, for Natalia Padilla, Wiktoria Zieniewicz for Aleksandra Zaremba. First in attack, second in defence. 

And here is Emma’s big game preview. 

And here is the Ireland team in full: 

STARTING XI | Ireland v Poland

Ready to go this afternoon ✊#COYGIG pic.twitter.com/c1QIjvc2Xk

— Ireland Football ⚽️🇮🇪 (@IrelandFootball) April 18, 2026

And we’re off, Ireland playing towards the Havelock Square end.  

6 min: Ireland have yet to enjoy controlled possession high up the field. Denise O’Sullivan has been caught on the ball twice early on, once resulting in a half chance but a weak shot for Poland. Home side will be looking to get the influential O’Sullivan on the ball in more advanced areas and facing the Polish goal. 

15 min: Far better from Ireland. The press forces a turnover and a little bit of sustained possession in Polish territory. Two crosses from Katie McCabe are met by Denise O’Sullivan. The first wouldn’t come down fast enough after she chested it to gain control. The second cross was slightly overhit. 

At the other end, Poland get behind Ireland on the left wing but the finish blazes just wide. 

Then Ireland hit the bar at the other end, Emily Murphy from an O’Sullivan cross. Game is heating up. 

19 min: O’Sullivan almost gets Murphy in behind the defence on the left wing. Pass slightly too strong. Lovely touch to gain control from O’Sullivan. 

29 min: Nicely flighted cross from McCabe results in a scramble in the Poland box but it won’t fall kindly for Ireland. Mannion gets a half chance at the end but it wouldn’t quite sit up for her to hit.

Another cross from McCabe, this time from a dead ball causes trouble for Poland but is dealt with.  

35 min: Game is quite open now, with attacking intent on show at both ends and players having to make a series of lung-testing runs up and down.  Still 0-0. 

36 min: Yellow card for O’Sullivan is big blow for Ireland. She’s out of the next game now for Ireland. 

And the next game is on 5 June against the Netherlands, at Pairc Ui Chaoimh. Big disappointment personally for the player from Cork city, and a disadvantage for Ireland.

41 mins: GOAL FOR IRELAND 

41 min: So the goal came from Marissa Sheva. Kyra Carussa sent a low cross across the six-yard box, making it a straightforward finish to a player who had got herslf in the right position. Great little pass from Aoife Mannion to Carussa to assist the assister.  

HALF-TIME: Ireland 1-0 Poland

The home side are value for their lead and have had the better chances. Have looked far more of a threat with the ball. Poland have threatened in moments but Ireland deserve to lead, and will look to increase their advantage after half-time. Yellow card to O’Sullivan is a blow, she is a class above everybody else in the middle of the field. 

And we’re back on 

51 min: Sheva cross too high for O’Sullivan, as Ireland enjoy most of the ball in the first five minutes of the second half.  

55 min: O’Sullivan is denied a worldy by the crossbar. She controls the ball and flicks it over the head of the Poland full-back Wiankowska. She shoots first time on the volley but the rising effort from close range glances off the post and back into play. Still 1-0. 

60 min: The hour is up as Courtney Brosnan gather a cross from a free-kick. Ireland the stronger team but moments like that illustrate the frialty of their 1-0 lead. Could do with a second to take a bit of the pressure off. 

O’Sullivan fouled after megging an opponent. The Cork woman is running the show.  

64 min: Hayes header from a McCabe free kick takes a deflection and dies on the way to goal. McCabe’s delivery from the dead ball are a consistent threat. 

67 min: Oh, Ireland have got away with one there. Aoife Mannion leaves a leg in on Zawistowska. The striker goes down in the box but the ref waves it away. Lucky for Ireland. 

71 min: Emily Murphy gets a yellow card for a pull on the jersey, which was needless. She is also out of the next game. 

72 min: Brosnan down after taking a clatter when punching a corner away.

76 min: Good break down the right involvng O’Sullivan, Murphy and Larkin, on as a sub. Leads to sustained pressure. Ireland corner now. 

this time the delivery lacks the usual pace and bite. 

80 min: Another corner for Ireland

83 min: Seven minutes of regulation time to go. Ireland have a goal kick, Brosnan is down again.

Ireland need to see out the final stage of the game. Could do with a goal. Abbie Larkin has bene lively since coming on. O’Sullivan continues to be the game’s class player. Murphy as well is constantly available or running in behind. Ireland just need to not drop off and face a late onslaught from Poland.

85 min: O’Sullivan down after taking a knock to the knee in a 50-50. She is up and Ireland work the ball down the right side for an attacking throw. 

Oh, she is down again now, before hobbling to her feet. Doesn’t look great. Best to go off at this point perhaps rather than risk aggravation to the knock. But she stays going. Looks uncomftable.  

87 min: Big chance for Poland. Pajor scuffs a left-footed shot in a great position. Brosnan saves. 

Still 1-0 Ireland, two minutes left. 

Throw for Poland as 8 minutes goes up on the board! 

And now it’s a Polish corner. Pressure is on. 

92 mins: Ireland still under the cosh. Need to get hold of the ball. 

Now Brosnan has it. 

Control and composure required here, and Ireland have a free kick. Will look to take the sting out the game here. 93 mins, 1-0. 

Carla Ward gets a yellow card while Denise O’Sullivan wins player of the match. 

94 mins: Superb from Larkin. sprints back to win possession after O’Sullivan got caught out trying to make an intercept. 

97 min: Corner for Poland is cleared but pressure stays on. Brosnan gathers and it’s worked down to the corner where O’Sullivan is dispossesed.  

FULL-TIME: Ireland 1-0 Poland 

Ireland hold out. A few nervy moments for a finish but they were worth their win today to make it six points from the double header. 

Thanks for following the live blog. Stay on The 42 for report, reaction and analysis from Emma Duffy.