EURO2025 Play-off Preview: Republic of Ireland -v- Georgia

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Macdara Ferris reports from Tallaght Stadium

With the 6-0 first leg win in the bag, after tomorrow’s second leg of their EURO2025 play-off against Georgia in Tallaght attention will soon turn to the play-off final against either Slovakia or Wales with the home leg of that tie to be played in the Aviva Stadium.

Tuesday’s match (kick off 7.30pm) will give Eileen Gleeson an opportunity to mix up her team selection. As the Ireland boss said on the eve of the game in Tallaght, the idea will be to “get some young players or less experienced players into a nice environment where they can feel free to play then.”

In Friday’s first leg win in Tbilisi, Gleeson was able to give that opportunity to a number of players who rewarded her with getting on the scoresheet. She name checked three players who between them have less than 30 international caps.

“It’s great to have different goalscorers on the team,” said Gleeson about the 6-0 win. “All through the League of Ireland Jessie Stapleton has always been a threat at set-pieces, very strong aerially.

"Aoife Mannion’s goal was really direct and Marissa (Sheeva) had a huge impact on the game when she came in and what a goal to score as well. So it’s super encouraging to have different goalscorers from open play and set-pieces as well.”

Gleeson spoke glowingly about Stapleton who currently is on loan from West Ham United with Sunderland. “I think Jessie is a very mature young player,” said Gleeson about the 19-year-old former Shelbourne player. “Confidence is really under-pinned by competence.

"So to get the goals and to be in the right positions, to be making the right decisions, now regularly playing with Sunderland, it’s really positive steps for Jessie. I think we’ll see her back in the WSL next stadium.

“I said she’s a potential centre-back but she does have versatility and is definitely in with a shout of playing. We brought Jessie on the No 6, she’s very good on the ball and can link play so that’s another potential position for Jessie.”

Ireland will have to be disciplined on Thursday if they are to avoid players being suspended for the play-off final that is almost certain to come. "Tyler (Toland) got a booking on Friday. Two yellows and you’re out so that’s being super conscious of yellows has been a big talking point of conversation. It effectively takes you out for two games at this point, the second one in the Aviva assuming we get there.”



Courtney Brosnan has returned to the squad having been suspended for the first leg. “Everybody is happy to have Courtney back in she’s delighted to be back in.”

Ireland skipper Katie McCabe said: “It's up to us to stay in control, stay level-headed going into tackles. We have to be mindful of boookings if we want to progress onto next month.”

IRELAND WNT SQUAD

Goalkeepers: Courtney Brosnan (Everton), Grace Moloney (London City Lionesses), Sophie Whitehouse (Charlton Athletic)

Defenders: Jessie Stapleton (Sunderland, on loan from West Ham United), Diane Caldwell (FC Zurich), Niamh Fahey (Liverpool), Aoife Mannion (Manchester United), Caitlin Hayes (Celtic), Anna Patten (Aston Villa)

Midfielders: Katie McCabe (Arsenal), Denise O'Sullivan (North Carolina Courage), Tyler Toland (Blackburn Rovers), Lily Agg (Birmingham City), Ellen Molloy (Sheffield United), Heather Payne (Everton), Eva Mangan (Cork City), Izzy Atkinson (Crystal Palace)



Forwards: Kyra Carusa (San Diego Wave), Leanne Kiernan (Liverpool), Abbie Larkin (Crystal Palace), Amber Barrett (Standard Liege), Julie-Ann Russell (Galway United), Marissa Sheva (Portland Thorns)

Referee: Katalin Kulcsár (Hungary)

PREDICTION
7-0 home win

MATCH STATS

Ireland racked up 20 goals the last time they played Georgia home and away. Ireland won 9-0 in Gori in Georgia in June 2021 and the return match in Tallaght in November 2021 ended 11-0 to the Girls in Green.

Referee Katalin Kulcsár has officiated in two previous WNT games – a 2-1 EURO 2013 Qualifier loss away to Scotland in 2012 and the 3-0 loss at home to Sweden in the EURO 2025 Qualifiers earlier this year.

There are currently 94 places between Ireland (24) and Georgia (118) in the FIFA Women’s World Rankings.

Republic of Ireland

Injured: Louise Quinn, Megan Connolly

Doubtful: Diane Caldwell

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