- John O'Shea
- Tue, Jul 16 2024
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John O'Shea reporting from Páirc Uí Chaoimh
All roads led to Cork and SuperValu Páirc Uí Chaoimh on Tuesday evening as the Republic of Ireland wrapped up their UEFA Euro 2025 qualifying campaign against France.
It proved to be a memorable occasion and a result to match, with goals from local star Denise O’Sullivan, the outstanding Julie-Ann Russell, and Aston Villa defender Anna Patten helping the Girls in Green to a victory they were strong value for.
With the newly appointed Ireland MNT boss Heimir Hallgrímsson in attendance, those on Leeside will hope further senior international fixtures will come down this direction over the coming years. Based on the result and performance here, the case to come to Páirc Uí Chaoimh could grow even more.
It was the first time in 12 years the Ireland WNT played a competitive match in Cork, and they arrived on Leeside looking for a positive result to boost hopes of a seeded place for the European Championship Play-Offs.
This contest was a long-awaited homecoming for Denise O’Sullivan on her native Leeside, while another Cork native, Megan Connolly, was among the Ireland substitutes.
Overall, the first half was a solid display from Ireland, who had some good spells. O’Sullivan indeed showed why she is such a key player for this Irish side with her quality on the ball when, in the 3rd minute, she played a neat through pass for Leanne Kiernan.
Hervé Renard’s France side, who have the Olympic Games in Paris firmly on the agenda with their opening game against Colombia on the 25th of July, threatened on 12 minutes when Estelle Cascarino charged down the wing before her cross-cum-shot sailed wide.
Eileen Gleeson’s Ireland charges were well in the exchanges in the opening quarter of an hour. In the 18th minute, the lively Leanne Kiernan went close following a well-struck effort which forced a good save from France goalkeeper Constance Picaud, the first big opportunity of the contest.
Midway through the first half, Selma Bacha took aim, but she was unable to properly test Courtney Brosnan in the Ireland goal, while Léa Le Garrec saw her effort blocked down.
After making an impact off the bench against England last weekend, capped off with a goal, Julie-Ann Russell was also looking a threat. She was played through by Ruesha Littlejohn on the counter-attack on 30 minutes but was on this occasion unable to seize the opportunity.
Just before the break, Aoife Mannion did well to win the ball and set Kiernan away, but she was just unable to deliver the killer pass to forge an opening.
Ireland will have been pleased overall with their opening half display, arguably the best 45 minutes they have played this campaign.
France went close early in the second half when Delphine Cascarino forced a good save from Ireland goalkeeper Courtney Brosnan.
Roared on by the Irish support, the home side went close to scoring on 50 minutes when Ziu forced French netminder Picaud into action, with Russell seeing her rebounded strike saved.
Ireland were looking a threat on the counter and Kiernan did well to race through just before the hour mark, but was crucially unable to get a strike away inside the penalty area, and it was a massive Irish opportunity.
In the 67th minute, Ireland took the lead, and it was a very popular scorer on those shores.
Denise O’Sullivan is a player with quality at the elite level. It was fitting she was the scorer of the opening goal of this encounter on Leeside, a few short minutes away from where she grew up.
The Knocknaheeny native O’Sullivan found the bottom corner with a sweet strike, and scoring for her country in her hometown is sure to place high among her footballing highlights.
Things got even better from an Irish perspective in the 76th minute when they doubled their advantage. Galway United star Russell capped off a memorable few days by finding the net once again, finishing to the far corner after being set up by O’Sullivan.
France got a goal back on 79 minutes when Vicki Becho finished with a scrappy effort from inside the box following an assist by Delphine Cascarino.
Kadidiatou Diani almost levelled for France when she fired narrowly wide from the edge of the box.
With second-half stoppage time approaching, Ireland capped off a memorable night on the Banks of the Lee with a third goal.
Anna Patten was on hand to head in well from a corner kick, which was delivered by another Cork player.
Attention for Ireland now turns towards the playoffs for reaching the European Championships in the autumn. Reaching another major international tournament is chief among the objectives for the Girls in Green.
Republic Of Ireland: Courtney Brosnan; Aoife Mannion, Caitlin Hayes, Anna Patten, Louise Quinn, Katie McCabe © ; Leanne Kiernan (Megan Connolly, 87), Ruesha Littlejohn ( Lily Agg, 54) , Denise O’Sullivan, Jessica Ziu( Amber Barrett, 90 +5) ; Julie-Ann Russell.
Subs not used: Grace Moloney, Sophie Whitehouse, Jessie Stapleton, Megan Campbell, Niamh Fahey , Tyler Toland , Marissa Sheva, Abbie Larkin, Emily Murphy.
Booked: None
France: Constance Picaud; Estelle Cascarino (Elisa De Almedia, 62) , Thiniba Samoura, Maëlle Lakrar (Grace Geyoro, 62) , Ève Périsset; Selma Bacha, Amandine Henry © , Léa Le Garrec (Marie-Antoinette Katoto ; Sandy Baltimore (Delphine Cascarino, HT) , Julie Dufour (Kadidiatou Diani, 70), Vicki Becho.
Subs not used: Solène Durand, Pauline Peyraud-Magnin, Wendie Renard,, Sakina Karchaoui , Sandie Toletti, Kenza Dali, Griedge Mbock Bathy,
Booked: None
Referee: Olatz Rivera Olmedo(Spain).
Extratime.com Player of the Match: Julie- Ann Russell (Republic Of Ireland).
