Republic of Ireland 3 - 0 Northern Ireland | 2023 - UEFA Women's Nations League | 999948810

UEFA Women's Nations League League B - Group B1 | Aviva Stadium, Dublin

23 Sep 2023 13:00

Republic of Ireland 3 - 0 Northern Ireland

Report
Preview
Lineups
Minute by Minute Commentary
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REPORT | WNT 3-0 Northern Ireland

A record crowd of 35,944 supporters turned out on a historic day for the Ireland Women's National Team as they made their debut at the Aviva Stadium and started their UEFA Nations League campaign with a 3-0 victory over Northern Ireland.

23rd Sep 2023

Lucy Quinn got things started with a fine first-half strike before Kyra Carusa and Lily Agg added goals to bump the scoreline and raise the atmosphere in the Dublin venue.

Interim Head Coach Eileen Gleeson wanted to give the players a freedom to express themselves in an attack-minded line-up and they did just that with some notable bright spells of play.

Debutant Caitlin Hayes looked assured on her debut, Sky Ireland Player of the Match Tyler Toland was composed in midfield and the home team generally controlled the tempo and possession of the ball in key periods.

Quinn will go down as the first women's player to score for Ireland in this redeveloped national stadium and she can be proud of the goal too with a sweet finish from the edge of the penalty area.

Carusa looked dangerous all game and a break forward to chase down a long ball put fear into the visitors' defence and that led to the ball falling to the San Diego Wave forward to fire in from distance.

Substitute Agg finished it all up with a tidy close-range finish as Ireland applied pressure in the late stages of the game and gave the excited crowd something to cheer about.

Next up is a trip to Budapest to take on Hungary as Ireland keep their sights set on finishing top of Group B1 and making the most of this campaign.

Republic of Ireland: Courtney Brosnan; Caitlin Hayes, Louise Quinn, Diane Caldwell (Izzy Atkinson 89); Heather Payne (Abbie Larkin 59), Megan Connolly (Lily Agg 82), Tyler Toland, Denise O’Sullivan, Katie McCabe; Lucy Quinn (Amber Barrett 83), Kyra Carusa (Emily Whelan 89).

Northern Ireland: Shannon Turner; Joley Magee, Sarah McFadden, Rebecca Holloway (Laura Rafferty 82), Demi Vance; Caragh Hamilton (Nadene Caldwell 72), Rachel Furness (Chloe McCarron 82), Marissa Callaghan (Lauren Wade 72), Emily Wilson; Simone Magill, Joely Andrews.

Referee: Hristiyana Guteva (Bulgaria).

PREVIEW | WNT v Northern Ireland

The first ever game at the Aviva Stadium for the Ireland Women’s National Team is set to be played in front of a record crowd with over 38,000 tickets already sold.

22nd Sep 2023

The UEFA Nations League opener against Northern Ireland kicks off at 13:00, with the Ireland squad having to go straight to the airport afterwards to fly to Hungary for their second game in Group B1.

MATCH DETAILS
UEFA Nations League
Republic of Ireland v Northern Ireland
Saturday, September 23
Aviva Stadium
KO 13:00
LIVE on RTÉ2

MATCH OFFICIALS
Referee | Hristiyana Guteva (Bulgaria)
Assistant Referee 1 | Ekaterina Marinova Petkova (Bulgaria)
Assistant Referee 2 | Pavleta Rashkova (Bulgaria)
Fourth Official | Kristina Georgieva (Bulgaria)

TEAM NEWS
Ireland have a fully fit squad to choose from.

QUOTES
Eileen Gleeson (Interim Head Coach)
“It is a privilege for this group of players and staff to be involved in what will be a historic occasion of playing in the Aviva Stadium for the first time as a Women’s National Team and having what will be a record crowd cheering the team on.

"We understand how important this game is. Preparations are going well. We have a fully fit squad to choose from, which is a credit to players and all staff.

"We expect a tough challenge from Northern Ireland, a team with major tournament experience, and of course a new Head coach in place who brings a wealth of experience and expertise, so we won't be taking anything for granted."