Eileen Gleeson "so proud of the girls" after historic Irish victory over France

It was a memorable night on Leeside for the Republic of Ireland Women’s National team as they defeated France at SuperValu Páirc Uí Chaoimh on Tuesday evening.

There were heroic performances right across the pitch from everyone for the Girls in Green during what was a terrific collective display.

On her native Cork soil, Denise O’Sullivan helped inspire Ireland to victory, while Julie-Ann Russell deservedly picked up the player of the match accolade.

Following their first victory of the campaign, Eileen Gleeson’s side will now be seeded in the playoff draw on Friday. Potential opponents in the playoffs for Ireland include Montenegro, Luxembourg, North Macedonia, Belarus, Slovenia, Romania, Albania, and Greece.

This was the crowning evening of her Irish managerial tenure to date, and it is a night that will surely live long in the memory.

“Incredible, I mean I am so proud of the girls,” said Gleeson a few minutes after the full-time whistle at Páirc Uí Chaoimh.

“I am so proud of everyone. Their work rate was fantastic. I thought in the first half we created two or three chances that we should have done better with.

“But the effort up front, Julie-Ann (Russell), Leanne (Kiernan), I mean it was incredible and what a result.

“This is football, and people have their own objectives. We always just focused on ourselves, and that is what we did in the game as well.

“We knew the squad they had, and they have a lot of quality everywhere. So it is a testament to the girls out there for the effort and the chances that they created and took. So I am really pleased.”

Being pitted in a Euro qualifying group alongside France, England, and Sweden meant it was always going to be a challenging assignment for Ireland to qualify automatically.

Assessing the campaign overall, Gleeson felt it provided plenty of takeaways and learning points.

“We have learnt a lot. I don’t think we could have gotten a tougher group.

“But there are lots of learnings from the group and lots of experiences against playing the highest level, sides 2nd and 3rd in the world.

“We have come, we have lost games, and we get a win tonight. So there is lots of progression and lots of experience from it.”

Those in attendance at Páirc Uí Chaoimh witnessed a special night for the Girls in Green. If it means similar performances and results, there will be strong debate to get Ireland back to Cork for an international fixture again in the near future.

“We absolutely loved Cork. We have had the best time here from the moment we received the reception. We drove in tonight and it was a super proud moment for everybody on the bus. We were filled with pride. The people have been incredible, the stadium and hotels, everything. So why not.”