EURO2025 Play-off Report: Republic of Ireland 3 - 0 Georgia (Ireland win 9-0 on agg)

Macdara Ferris reports from Tallaght Stadium

It was a record Ireland attendance for Tallaght Stadium of 8,745 who came to see some Ireland goals against Georgia and for their Girls in Green team to ease into the play-off final against Wales and that is what they got with Julie-Ann Russell, Kyra Carusa and Katie McCabe on the scoresheet.

Ireland brought a 6-0 first leg lead back to Dublin against a team they had hit for 11 last time around in Tallaght Stadium three years ago but they couldn’t match that record haul this time around. A stubborn Georgian defence mostly stood strong against the attacking threat from the home side.

Eileen Gleeson had spoken ahead of the second leg about bringing some young or less experienced players into the team and she did that by bringing both Jessie Stapleton and Marisa Sheva into her starting lineup.

Both came off the bench to score in the first leg and this time around Gleeson deployed Stapleton in a starting position in the holding role in midfield with Sheeva loving lively as she replaced Tyler Toland (who was walking a suspension tightrope as she was carrying a yellow card).

As expected Grace Moloney dropped to the bench with Courtney Brosnan returning in goal from her suspension. The Everton goalkeeper was pretty much a spectator in the first half.

Georgia did press Ireland into the corner early on but inside three minutes they found themselves a goal down. Sheeva’s shot was saved by Tatia Gabunia who had retained her place in the Georgia goal despite her error in conceding Katie McCabe’s long range effort in Tbilisi.

However, Julie-Ann Russell was quickest on the rebound to slot the ball home. 

A succession of Katie McCabe corner kicks and free kicks were placed into the Georgia box. Some were dealt well while others caused consternation but a Caitlin Hayes header 13 minutes into the first half was the closest the Girls in Green came from scoring from such a set piece.

Russell was causing plenty of problems down the left flank and her endeavours saw two Georgians go in the book of the fussy Hungarian referee - Irina Khaburdzania for hacking the Galway United player down and Ana Cheminava for pulling her jersey.

Ireland doubled their lead in the 31st minute when a delightful flick of a pass from Anna Patten by Stapleton fell to Kyra Carusa who found the back of the net with her close range shot.

Five minutes later Ireland had a spot kick after Carusa went down in the box under a clumsy challenge from Mariam Kalandadze. Referee Katalin Kulcsár pointed to the spot but McCabe, who opened Ireland’s account with a peno in the first leg, skied the ball over the bar and into the packed Tallaght Stadium North Stand.

In first half injury time Russell should probably have done better with a shot when Gabunia spilled Stapleton’s shot from distance but the half time whistle went and Ireland had to make do with trooping off with a two goal lead.

Gleeson withdrew Aoife Mannion at the break with Stapleton slotting into the back three.

A 55^th minute shot corner was well worked by Ireland with Denise O’Sullivan providing the pass for McCabe to run onto and drill a low left foot effort for Ireland’s third.

Brosnan was finally called into action just before the hour mark to save Teona Bakradze’s long range effort.

Ireland continued to press Georgia but even with the introduction of the fresh legs of Heather Payne, Ellen Molloy and Leann Kiernan Ireland couldn't add to their tally but they can be very happy with their evening's work in Dublin 24.

Republic of Ireland W: Courtney Brosnan; Aoife Mannion (Lily Agg 46), Anna Patten, Caitlin Hayes; Jessie Stapleton; Abbie Larkin (Izzy Atkinson 58), Marissa Sheva, Julie-Ann Russell (Ellen Molloy 83); Katie McCabe (Leanne Kiernan 72), Denise O'Sullivan; Kyra Carusa (Heather Payne 58).
Subs not used: Sophie Whitehouse, Grace Moloney, Diane Caldwell, Niamh Fahey, Eva Mangan, Tyler Toland, Amber Barrett.
Booked: None.

Georgia W: Tatia Gabunia; Nino Chkhartishvili, Salome Gasviani, Gvadsa Kadagishvili, Mariam Kalandadze; Nino Bukhrikidze, Mariam Danelia, Sopiko Narsia; Teona Bakradze (Maiko Bebia 60), Ana Cheminava (Nino Pasikashvili 88), Irina Khaburdzania (Tinatin Ambalia 60).
Subs not used: Svetlana Gabelaia, Eka Tabagari, Tamar Kvelidze, Anastasia Bolkvadze, Lela Chichinadze, Salomi Dimopooulou, Lizi Mtskerashvili, Lizi Kankia, Nata Kvirkvaia.
Booked: Irina Khaburdzania (22), Mariam Kalandadze (34), Ana Cheminava (42), Salome Gasviani (80).

Referee: Katalin Kulcsár (Hungary). 
Attendance: 8,745 
extratime.com Player of the Match: x  (Republic of Ireland)