REPUBLIC OF IRELAND Manager Eileen Gleeson paid a visit to Páirc Uí Chaoimh a few months ago with one eye on what awaited her team at the iconic venue this week.
Home to Cork GAA, groundsmen were out this morning converting the pitch into a football surface in preparation for Republic of Ireland v France in the Euro 2025 qualifiers. By the time the media scrum walked out to greet Gleeson and captain Katie McCabe with recorders and questions, the soccer goal posts were already up. The stands all around us were decorated in Outbelieve advertising boards. A new lick of white paint outlining the dimensions of a soccer field had already been applied.
That brings relief to McCabe. She was initially startled when she saw the width of a GAA pitch unfold before her on first glance. She laughs when she realises where she is and the work that is going on around her to put her in more familiar surroundings. Some of her teammates know this place. Cork is home to Denise O’Sullivan, Megan Connolly and Eva Mangan. Colin Healy is a Rebel too. The occasion is having an affect on their accents.
“Colin, Denise, Megs, Eva, they’re all getting stronger and stronger,” McCabe laughs. Even [RTÉ Soccer Correspondent] Tony O’Donoghue over there, he’s happy to be back as well.
“Lily Agg is still working on hers!” she added, referring to her teammate’s roots in Cobh.
This isn’t the first time that Páirc Uí Chaoimh has hosted a football game. A tribute match to honour the memory of Liam Miller was held here in 2018.
As the doors open once again to the sport, both Ireland captain and manager are delighted with the efforts to make them feel at home.
“The work they’ve been doing is phenomenal,” says Gleeson. “It looks amazing. We’re really enjoying being here in Cork.”
This is Ireland’s final group game in the qualifying campaign. The teams come into the tie with contrasting ambitions as their paths to Switzerland start to diverge. Ireland are aiming for a seeded place in the play-offs while France, current leaders in Group A3, are out to top the group. Fast, direct ball is what Gleeson expects to see from the visitors after the 6pm kick-off.
And with that in mind, the focus for her team is to avoid conceding an early goal.
“It’s been a feature in our games,” says Gleeson referring to Alessia Russo’s fifth-minute goal in a 2-1 win for England last Friday. The French also struck a blow in the seventh minute when Ireland travelled to Metz for their opening qualifier back in April.
“We need to make sure we’re not chasing early,” Gleeson continues before thinking back to the French game and the Marie-Antoinette Katoto goal which she feels was “preventable.”
Throughout the campaign, Gleeson has watched her side evolve. She points to their performance last Friday and the improved transitional movements in her side’s build-up play. A more composed approach to holding possession was evident too.
When asked what changed after England’s goal to help her side grow more into the contest, she said:
“We changed the flat three to a two and a one. And the strikers were meant to be engaging higher so we had to reinforce that message, that they were the first line of the press.
“That wasn’t happening so the England centre-backs obviously had a lot of time on the ball that we didn’t want them to have, and then (Keira) Walsh was picking up the ball so we just affected that area and then got the press on. That first 20 minutes felt like hours but I think they did really take on that change and it helped. We were much more secure then.”
Julie Ann-Russell’s goal in the 94th minute was Ireland’s first in this qualification campaign. They have conceded nine times. Gleeson agrees that her side’s opening goal of 2024 brings a “psychological boost” to the group but highlights that her team were always confident that they could score.
“I think there’s a reality around this group and who we’re playing,” she explains.” I know people were pulling stats out of here and there but if you look at the games between those teams in the group, against France and England – they’re not high-scoring games. You’re playing against top opposition.
“We didn’t think we were never going to score again.”
Russell’s performance off the bench has put her in the conversation regarding tomorrow’s line-up, according to Gleeson. And her goal strengthens Ireland’s chances of earning a seeded play-off spot and avoiding a more difficult to next summer’s tournament. Poland, who are Ireland’s nearest rivals, are four behind on goal difference.
“It does have to affect,” the Ireland boss replies when asked about the importance of their battle with Poland.
“It has to kind of be the starting point, goal difference. We can’t control anything that goes on in the Iceland-Poland game with what we do here, but if we throw caution to the wind and concede five goals they have a better goal difference so you have to be realistic. It’s international football, we want to have that seeded place and do everything we can do. It’s definitely the starting point in the conversation.”
Gleeson is happy to report a clean bill of health in the squad. And the welcoming atmosphere of the locals is making their trip to Cork all the more enjoyable.
A French invasion awaits.
“We go on little walks and we’re getting great support, it’s really positive, the girls are loving it, the hotel is brilliant.”
Breen
Breen Breen Breen Breen
Breen Breen Breen Breen
Breen Breen
Aaaaaand number 1 is Gary Breen….
Westwood
Coleman O’Shea Wilson Brady
Hoolahan McCarthy McClean McGeady
McGoldrick Long
———————-
Subs:
Walters
Keane
Hendrick
How anyone would start Westwood ahead of Gary Breen in goals is beyond me…
Long
McClean Hoolahan. McGeady
Whelan. McCarthy
Brady. Wilson O’Shea Coleman
Given
I find it very odd that Forde isn’t being mentioned by anyone, he has done nothing wrong, in fact he’s been our best player and man of the match in a few games in the last campaign
is he injured or something?
Forde would never have played a minute only Westwood got injured. He was solid but unspectacular and it was only a matter of time before he lost his place. It is probably unfair on him but it’s nothing to do with fairness at this level. This isn’t u-10. The fact is both Given and Westwood are better keepers who are also in better club form and therefore should be ahead of him.
Forde has just had a mare of a season. I think it’s a close call between Givens experience and Westwoods form this season but I’d probably just favour Shay. and I’d go with the same 11 you picked Rory.
Few inaccuracies here – Forde first started competitively against Sweden – Westwood was fully fit and on bench but was having a mare at Sunderland at the time and at the time there was a feeling that trap still blamed him for the 6 going on against Germany (Westwood wasn’t for me at fault).
Forde was widely regarded as one of millwalls best players this season.
Being solid is all you want from a keeper!
Having said all of that – a confident Westwood should be in the team – it’s iust very harsh on forde
I knew the club form would be mentioned and that’s a load of boll*x: firstly milwall were absolutely rubbish last year and their defence had more holes than a colander, you couldn’t blame Forde and I wonder here how many saw actual millwall games? secondly club form doesn’t always translate to international, just look at Coleman and McCarthy who should be setting the world alight and have yet to really do it with an Irish jersey on, and look at the likes of Gary Breen who we all take the Mick out of of but was one of our stand out performers at 2002 world cup while without a club. fact of the matter is Given I thought shouldn’t have been beaten from that angle against the poles and I think is well past his best, Westwood has had a couple of nightmares in the green jersey while Forde has actually kept us in games with great saves and solid performances, it should be a meritocracy
Bonner
Hughton McGrath McCarthy Staunton
Houghton Whelan Townsend Sheedy
Aldridge Quinn
That’s one of the best line ups I’ve seen without Gary Breen starting but I can’t help but guess, 47 and that’s a conservative guess at your age my man???
Westwood
Coleman oshea Wilson Brady
Walters whelan mccarthy mcgeady
Hoolahan
Long
How anyone can argue that given should start ahead of Westwood needs their head tested, given is a sub goal keeper, way past his best. Westwood had an unbelievable season with Sheffield Wednesday and is Ireland’s best keeper by far, I thought it was harsh dropping Forde as he has done well for Ireland but to give Given the number one spot is a joke!
agree absolutely. he was shocking when he can on against the tans. he even pulled off a dreaded kick out straight to throw in. way past it and a liability at this stage
He also conceded 11 in his last two clubs matches
I was having a look at our results page on wiki and I got sad. Lads the Holland game was 14 years ago. We haven’t beaten anyone worth writing home about since. 14 years like. On Sat evening we just have to win. Enough talking and draws and friendly wins and blaming managers tactics and bitching. We need 3 points. Simple as. The players need to believe in themselves and man up. If they don’t it could be the end for a lot of fans. Not only is our qualification riding on this our seeding for the upcoming wc draw is in the balance too. It’s massive. COYBIG
Yeah Emmet I like it. Players just need to do the business. Can’t wait for it.
if you hear a man freaking out in block 107 that’s me! COYBIG
See you in block 107 pal!
What’s the craic like…do we have to win or what? :)
4/5 picked given and Whelan. I’m sorry lads but are yous having a laugh!?
I’d pick Whelan, just because we lost against em when he didn’t play. Westwood should start ahead of Given though
We lost when I didn’t play too?
Whelan gets a hard time and doesn’t deserve it. He is a strong holding midfielder who has held off many the challenge to his position at Stoke. His role is not pretty and his influence is understated. This was proven in the Germany where 5 mins after he went off injured they scored through an area he patrols. For me it’s McCarthy who really needs to step up in the green and justify the hype surrounding his ability, we’ve not seen it yet for Ireland.
I can definitely see a red card in this game.
Given should be nowhere near the team
Westwood, Coleman, O’Shea, Wilson, Brady, McGeady, Mccarthy, Holohan, McClean, Long, Murphy
Given
O Shea. Keogh Wilson
Coleman Brady
McCarthy Holhann Whelan
Walters
Long.
I’d changed my mind Keane over Walters
Westwood, Coleman, o’sea , Wilson, Brady McCarthy, hoolihan , Myler Walters MacLean long
Jack Freakish should start…
Meant Grealish but I’m sure he’s been called worse
Given, Coleman, O Shea, Wilson, Brady, McGeady, Whelan, Mcarthy, Walters, Keane, Long
Westwood Coleman O’Shea Wilson Brady McGeady McCarthy S.Quinn Hoolahan McClean Long
In goals : Westwood,
3backs : Meyler, O’Shea, Wilson
5midfield: Coleman, Whelan, Hendicks, Brady
Hoolahan
Strikers: Walters, Long
Suds: 60min Arthur for Hoolahan
: 70min McGeady for Brady
: 75min. Keane for ????
Patrick wards pick is the most balanced
Westwood
Coleman O’Shea Wilson Brady
McCarthy Whelan
Walters Hoolahan McGeady
Long
Subs:McClean 65 minute mark, will get the croud going and his energy will cause tired defenders problems.
Hendrick: Go to a 3 man midfield at half time if under the cosh, take Walters off and send Wes out on the right.
Keane:70 minute mark if we need a goal.
Given Coleman oshea Wilson Brady mcgeady Hendrick McCarthy McClean Holohan Long
Forde
Coleman O’Shea Wilson Brady
Hendrick McCarthy
McGeady Long McClean
Murphy