Nations League Preview: Hungary -v- Republic of Ireland

Ireland's starting XI at the Aviva for their UEFA Nations League clash with Northern Ireland

Ireland's starting XI at the Aviva for their UEFA Nations League clash with Northern Ireland Credit: Conor Ryan (ETPhotos)

HUNGARY

Tuesday’s UEFA Nations League Group B1 clash will take place in the Hidegkuti Nandor Stadium in Budapest (kick-off 6.30pm).

The game, live on RTÉ2, takes place in the venue where Ireland lost twice during the under-17 men’s European Championship during the summer (5-1 to Poland in the group stage and 3-0 in quarter-final against Spain).

Hungary kicked off their Nations League campaign with a 1-1 draw away to Albania on Friday. They trailed by a goal at half time with Evelin Fenyvesi equalising in the 74th minute.

They are ranked 42 in the FIFA rankings with Albania 72 while Ireland are the top ranked side 24 – and 17th in UEFA.

REPUBLIC OF IRELAND

The Girls in Green will be looking to building on their comprehensive 3-0 win in their debut Nations League game on Saturday when they take on Hungary on Tuesday.

“We had an excellent start to our UEFA Nations League campaign with the win over Northern Ireland in front of a record crowd,” said interim Ireland boss Eileen Gleeson.

“It was a historic day, but now our full focus is on the next game against Hungary to ensure that we do all that we can to take the three points on offer.

“Hungary will be a difficult opponent and playing at home gives them an extra edge. We won't take anything for granted as we aim for another three points.”



There were some slight injury concerns over Denise O’Sullivan and Louise Quinn but both are available for selection for the game in Budapest.

Ireland WNT Squad

Goalkeepers: Courtney Brosnan (Everton), Grace Moloney (London City Lionesses), Megan Walsh (West Ham United)

Defenders: Louise Quinn (Birmingham City), Diane Caldwell (FC Zurich), Caitlin Hayes (Celtic), Claire O’Riordan (Standard Liege), Savannah McCarthy (Shamrock Rovers), Éabha O’Mahony (University of Texas), Hayley Nolan (Crystal Palace), Chloe Mustaki (Bristol City)

Midfielders: Katie McCabe (Arsenal), Denise O’Sullivan (North Carolina Courage), Tyler Toland (Blackburn Rovers), Jamie Finn (Birmingham City), Megan Connolly (Bristol City), Lily Agg (Birmingham City), Heather Payne (Everton), Lucy Quinn (Birmingham City), Marissa Sheva (Washington Spirit), Izzy Atkinson (West Ham United)

Forwards: Kyra Carusa (San Diego Wave), Abbie Larkin (Glasgow City), Amber Barrett (Standard Liege), Saoirse Noonan (Durham WFC), Emily Whelan (Glasgow City)



Referee: Zuzana Valentova (Slovakia) She was official for Ireland’s 2-1 Pinatar Cup win over Poland last year.

MATCH STATS

Ireland have played Hungary on seven occasions earning three wins and two draws from those matches.

The last time the teams played was in the 2017 Cyprus Cup which ended in a scoreless draw.

Katie McCabe made her international debut in the 2015 match between the teams – that was a 1-1 draw. While Claire O'Riordan also earned her first cap against Hungary that was in the 2016 match between the sides in the Cyprus Cup that Hungary won 1-0.

PREDICTION

2 – 0 away win

Republic of Ireland

Injured: Niamh Fahey, Megan Campbell, Ruesha Littlejohn, Sinead Farrelly

Doubtful: None

Suspended: None

About Macdara Ferris

Macdara Ferris is a contributor since 2007 to Hoops Scene (Shamrock Rovers' match day programme) and is the co-author of two books on Shamrock Rovers - 'Tallaght Time: Shamrock Rovers 2009 to 2012' (with Karl … View Full Profile