Good afternoon, and welcome along to The 42‘s live coverage of the Republic of Ireland’s Uefa Women’s Nations League opener against Northern Ireland.
The stage is set at the Aviva Stadium, with over 38,000 tickets sold for this historic occasion. The Republic of Ireland’s post-Vera Pauw era officially begins with Eileen Gleeson in interim charge, while the North also have a new manager in Tanya Oxtoby.
Kick-off is at 1pm and the game is live on RTÉ Two. But myself and David Sneyd are in situ at Lansdowne Road and we’ll have everything you need to know right here.
Here’s the starting teams:
Republic of Ireland: Courtney Brosnan; Caitlin Hayes, Louise Quinn, Diane Caldwell, Katie McCabe (captain); Tyler Toland, Megan Connolly, Denise O’Sullivan; Heather Payne, Kyra Carusa, Lucy Quinn.
Northern Ireland: Shannon Turner; Abbie Magee, Sarah McFadden, Demi Vance; Caragh Hamilton, Rachel Furness, Joely Andrews, Marissa Callaghan (captain), Rebecca Holloway; Simone Magill, Emily Wilson.
Caitlin Hayes is straight in for her Republic of Ireland debut, having recently declared for the Girls In Green. Tyler Toland returns to the XI for the first time since September 2019, while Diane Caldwell earns her 98th cap. Uefa is suggesting a 4-3-3 formation, though Gleeson could well opt for a three/five at the back.
Read more on the team selections here.
The Republic of Ireland have just finished warming up, with Gleeson high-fiving each and every player as they head for the dressing room for their final preparations.
“There’s a new day dawning,” was the song ringing out at the time.
The stadium announcer is now reading out the team news, with captain Katie McCabe coming in for a particularly loud cheer.
The teams are out. What a moment as the Republic of Ireland women’s national team walk out on the Aviva Stadium for the first time.
Who do you think will win?
Poll Results:
Ready to go here on Landsdowne Road…
Kick-off: Northern Ireland get us underway.
Republic of Ireland 0-0 Northern Ireland
3 mins: The Republic have settled and are dominating possession early on. They’re trying to release McCabe down the left, debutant Caitlin Hayes finding her with a nice pass. They seem to be playing three at the back, and are slower to drop defensively than before.
Republic of Ireland 0-0 Northern Ireland
5 mins: Courtney Brosnan easily claims a tame header and the Republic look to move it fast, huge roars for Denise O’Sullivan and Katie McCabe, in particular, when they get on the ball. Lucy Quinn appears to be up front with Kyra Carusa early on.
Republic of Ireland 0-0 Northern Ireland
8 mins: In truth, it’s been pretty cagey, but the Republic have definitely started brighter. McCabe recovers from a ball to the face from Sarah McFadden, while Megan Connolly gives away a free kick in the middle of the field but nothing comes off it.
Republic of Ireland 0-0 Northern Ireland
12 mins: Heather Payne goes on a promising run from right wing-back, finding the electric O’Sullivan on the turn but Demi Vance does enough to cut it out. Shortly afterwards, Kyra Carusa squares a dangerous ball but there’s no one there. She may have been just offside. Big Katie McCabe tackle, the crowd love it.
Republic of Ireland 0-0 Northern Ireland
15 mins: Northern Ireland have been enjoying a little more possession in the last few minutes, but the Republic have posed more of an attacking threat. Carusa tries to bring it down on her chest on the edge of the box, but the ball gets away from her. Connolly is standing over a free kick in the centre circle after a foul on Lucy Quinn. Louise Quinn is sent forward, but the opportunity goes abegging.
Republic of Ireland 0-0 Northern Ireland
20 mins: McCabe and O’Sullivan look to get something going, but the former is forced to retreat. She finds Diane Caldwell, who in turn goes to Louise Quinn, who plays a looping ball for Carusa but nothing comes off her flick-on. Low-key start, with no real chances thus far.
Republic of Ireland 0-0 Northern Ireland
22 mins: Carusa has just won a free kick in a dangerous position after a foul by Rebecca Holloway. The Northern Ireland player sees yellow, and Katie McCabe stands over this one — just outside the box on the right. A perfect chance for the Ballon d’Or nominee…
Republic of Ireland 0-0 Northern Ireland
24 mins: McCabe sends it over, much to her disappointment. Half-chance shortly after, Lucy Quinn is screaming or it in the middle but O’Sullivan’s pass is cut out.
McCabe is welcomed to great cheers for the corner; she finds Hayes, whose header is knocked on further by Carusa, but Shannon Turner eventually clears her lines.
Republic of Ireland 0-0 Northern Ireland
28 mins: After a break in play as Turner receives treatment, the Republic are back on the front foot. Carusa is causing problems in front of goal, as Eileen Gleeson’s side look to jump in the driving seat.
Republic of Ireland 0-0 Northern Ireland
29 mins: McCabe has been sending some teasing deliveries in from the left.
SAVE! Turner denies Caitlin Hayes at the back post from a corner, won by McCabe but taken by Lucy Quinn. There’s another from the right now.
GOAL! Republic of Ireland 1-0 Northern Ireland (Lucy Quinn 30)
What a goal that is. McCabe’s corner from the left is half cleared, but only to Lucy Quinn who lets fly from just inside the area. Superb first-time strike. The Birmingham City attacker is the history-maker, the first Republic of Ireland women’s player to score at the Aviva Stadium.
Republic of Ireland 1-0 Northern Ireland
33 mins: That goal has really sparked the game to life, the Republic playing with a little more impetus and intent, while the North have responded well.
David Sneyd is at the Aviva Stadium alongside me…
Republic of Ireland take the lead. Lucy Quinn with an excellently controlled volley that took a glance of Rachel Furness. 1-0. pic.twitter.com/aJjgffEoZQ
— David Sneyd (@DavidSneyd) September 23, 2023
Republic of Ireland 1-0 Northern Ireland
38 mins: Lucy Quinn’s shot-come-cross nestles on the roof of the net. Again, the ball dropped to her from a McCabe corner out on the right, and she made some space from her on the left and took aim.
She’s just won a free kick after a challenge from Sarah McFadden on that side, Connolly stands over it.
Republic of Ireland 1-0 Northern Ireland
40 mins: That free was eventually cleared by Holloway, but Ireland are typically threatening from set-pieces. Can they add another before the break?
Here’s the goal that has the Republic of Ireland in front:
History made at the Aviva Stadium as Lucy Quinn scores Ireland's first ever women's international goal at the venue!#COYGIG #IRLWNT
— RTÉ Sport (@RTEsport) September 23, 2023
📺 Watch live - https://t.co/XnOP6grnB7…
📱 Updates - https://t.co/GN1wbnGGfW pic.twitter.com/2Bfn1SqBuy
Republic of Ireland 1-0 Northern Ireland
43 mins: Hayes slips Carusa through but Northern Ireland do enough to cut that one out. Denise O’Sullivan has been excellent so far, deployed higher up the field and looking menacing every time she gets on the ball.
Republic of Ireland 1-0 Northern Ireland
CLOSE! Lucy Quinn has a shot cleared off the line. McCabe sent a deep cross in from the left, O’Sullivan’s header ricocheting off a Northern Ireland defender and falling to Carusa, who plays Ireland goalscorer Quinn. McFadden with the crucial block.
Republic of Ireland 1-0 Northern Ireland
45 mins: Two additional minutes to be played here at Lansdowne Road.
Half time: Republic of Ireland 1-0 Northern Ireland
The Republic of Ireland are 1-0 up at half time after Lucy Quinn’s brilliant goal on the half-hour mark. That has sparked Eileen Gleeson’s side to life, with Quinn almost adding a second but for a superb goal-line clearance by Sarah McFadden. There have been some tweaks and changes as the Republic look to play a more front-footed style, but it certainly could be a lot better. For one, they’re still hugely dependant on set-pieces. A cagey, even start, to say the least, but the Girls In Green have taken complete control of the game.
There’s been a half-time shoutout for each and every Republic of Ireland women’s national team player here at the Aviva. Earlier, they were honoured with a one-off commemorative cap with everyone to have represented the Girls In Green given two tickets to the game. Recently-retired internationals Áine O’Gorman and Harriet Scott have also been recognised.
Ready to go for the second half, Republic of Ireland kicking us off. Doesn’t appear to be any changes.
Republic of Ireland 1-0 Northern Ireland
45 mins: We’re up and running once more.
Republic of Ireland 1-0 Northern Ireland
47 mins: The hosts pick up where they left off, with McCabe whipping the ball in but the ball is taken off O’Sullivan’s head. Bit of scrappiness early on as both sides look to settle back in.
Republic of Ireland 1-0 Northern Ireland
50 mins: Another goal-line clearance? In real time, it looked over the line and Carusa was sure it was from a tight angle but Demi Vance did enough. No goal-line technology today at the Aviva Stadium, which is a shame.
At the other end, Northern Ireland have had a little more of an attacking platform in the last few minutes, but Courtney Brosnan and co. are keeping them at bay.
Republic of Ireland 1-0 Northern Ireland
55 mins: The Republic look to switch from McCabe to Lucy Quinn to Heather Payne, but the ball goes beyond the Roscommon flier. Northern Ireland have certainly improved in the second half, but the Republic are looking to kick on again.
The view from David Sneyd in the press box? “Ireland in control but need a second to finish it off.” They could indeed have that, but for two last-ditch clearances.
Republic of Ireland 1-0 Northern Ireland
59 mins: The Republic’s first change of the day as Abbie Larkin replaces Payne. A great reception for the Ringsend native.
Just beforehand, Quinn couldn’t make hay at the back post after another impressive delivery fro McCabe. She appeared to hurt herself in the process, but is moving around freely once again.
Republic of Ireland 1-0 Northern Ireland
68 mins: Apologies, technical difficulties there with the laptop threatening to give up! We’re back in action though, as the Republic of Ireland look to see this one out. They’ve had the Northern Ireland goal under siege in the past few minutes, everything sticking to Carusa as she feeds her team-mates up top. Lucy Quinn had a penalty call waved off after a tackle from McFadden and Abbie Larkin sent a snapshot from outside the area wide, think they’re the major developments that need reporting.
GOAL! Republic of Ireland 2-0 Northern Ireland (Kyra Carusa, 70)
Carusa capitalises on a defensive error to slot home from distance. Rebecca Holloway and Shannon Turner are in two minds about who should clear, Holloway goes for it but completely mis-kicks and Carusa reaps the rewards. Deserved goal for the US-born striker after a big shift this afternoon.
Republic of Ireland 2-0 Northern Ireland
72 mins: Two Northern Ireland changes straight after the goal, with Nadine Caldwell replacing Marissa Callaghan and Lauren Wade coming in for Emily Wilson.
Republic of Ireland 2-0 Northern Ireland
75 mins: McCabe flashes wide, and there’s a break in play shortly afterwards with Rachel Furness getting treatment.
Attendance has just been announced here at the Aviva Stadium: 35,994.
Here’s the Republic of Ireland’s second goal:
Kyra Carusa takes advantage of a mix-up in the Northern Ireland defence to double the lead for the hosts 👇#IRLWNT #COYGIG
— RTÉ Soccer (@RTEsoccer) September 23, 2023
📺 Watch live - https://t.co/JYf06csaIG…
📱 Updates - https://t.co/xRBCug62XV pic.twitter.com/UoBygNDrfr
Republic of Ireland 2-0 Northern Ireland
80 mins: Amber Barrett and Lily Agg look to be coming on as we enter the final minutes here at Lansdowne Road.
Republic of Ireland 2-0 Northern Ireland
81 mins: Raft of substitutions here. Agg replaces Connolly, while Lucy Quinn makes way for Barrett. Laura Rafferty for Holloway, Chloe McCarron for Furness.
GOAL! Republic of Ireland 3-0 Northern Ireland (Lily Agg, 85)
Not the most straightforward one, but a goal is a goal! Agg heads home McCabe’s corner. It went through Demi Vance’s legs and bounced off the post and just over the line.
Louise Quinn has just gone off the pitch for treatment, but is good to come back on.
Republic of Ireland 3-0 Northern Ireland
88 mins: The Republic of Ireland are basking in their three-goal lead, playing the ball around brilliantly. Caitlin Hayes’ range of passing has been excellent. Larkin plays a superb cross in to Carusa but she heads just wide.
Double substitution: Emily Whelan comes in for Carusa after returning to the set-up, while Izzy Atkinson replaces Diane Caldwell.
Republic of Ireland 3-0 Northern Ireland
90 mins: Six minutes added on.
Tyler Toland has been announced as the Player of the Match. A superb shift from the returning Donegal midfielder, threading play together and making things happen.
Republic of Ireland 3-0 Northern Ireland
90+3 mins: Denise O’Sullivan is back on her feet after taking a knock while threading a ball through to Barrett. Calls for handball against Toland in the box, Caragh Hamilton is bemused by the referee’s decision not to give it after her cross but it’s waved on.
Republic of Ireland 3-0 Northern Ireland
90+5 mins: McCabe swings in a free kick, it eventually breaks to Izzy Atkinson way out on the left and she turns brilliantly. Larkin has done well too, but it looks that that will be that in terms of scoring.
FULL-TIME: Republic of Ireland 3-0 Northern Ireland
Three goals, three points and a clean sheet. A first appearance at the Aviva Stadium and the record attendance smashed. A positive start to the Uefa Nations League campaign, and the post-Vera Pauw era.
There’s one big concern, though: Denise O’Sullivan looks to be in serious pain in the middle of the pitch, as Eileen Gleeson calls her squad into a circle. The stadium is hopping, the crowd of 35,994 enjoying the hosts’ win. Northern Ireland, meanwhile, salute the travelling support in the away end.
The Republic of Ireland are now showing their thanks and gratitude to the fans now with a lap of the stadium. That’s all for our liveblog coverage, but David Sneyd’s report will be on The 42 imminently and we’ll have plenty more to come from the Aviva Stadium.
“Come On Eileen,” ringing out.
Have a good one!
NOTE: Apologies for the comments section being closed throughout the liveblog. This was a technical oversight, and only discovered in the aftermath. Thanks for reading, and sincere apologies once again.
