Abbie Larkin, Kyra Carusa and Denise O’Sulivan helped the Ireland Women’s National Team to a 3-2 win over Hungary in an International Friendly in the Marbella Football Center in Spain.

In what was their 11th game of the year – and of Carla Ward’s reign – Ireland made a fast start with Larkin pouncing on a defensive mistake on eight minutes to fire in.

Larkin – who was scoring her third goal overall at senior level – turned provider on 18 minutes when her driving run forward and pass into Carusa was complimented with a neat finish.

Hungary pulled one back on 27 minutes to take a clean sheet off Sophie Whitehouse on her debut, despite the goalkeeper initially saving well but a rebound fell to Borbala Vincze and her shot was deflected in by Caitlin Hayes.

Early into the second half, Ireland regained their dominance with O’Sullivan slotting in from inside the penalty area on 53 minutes when the ball dropped nicely to her.

On 89 minutes, Hungary scored again with substitute Zsanett Kajan keeping her cool to drill a low shot past Whitehouse, but the contest had already been won in the Spanish heat.

This was Ireland’s seventh win of the year and will help with their preparations for the 2027 FIFA Women’s World Cup Qualifiers that will begin in March 2026.

Ireland: Sophie Whitehouse; Aoife Mannion (Jessie Stapleton 46), Anna Patten, Caitlin Hayes, Hayley Nolan, Katie McCabe (Tara O’Hanlon 84); Denise O’Sullivan, Tyler Toland (Chloe Mustaki 46), Lucy Quinn (Jamie Finn 60); Abbie Larkin (Saoirse Noonan 78), Kyra Carusa (Leanne Kiernan 60).

Hungary: Lauren Brykcy; Fanni Nagy, Beatrix Fordos (Laura Palakovics 72), Hanna Nemeth, Viktoria Szabo, Zsofia Mayer (Virag Nagy 87), Diana Csanyi (Emoke Papai 72), Henrietta Csiszar, Dora Sule (Csilla Savanya 62), Borbala Vincze (Zsanett Kajan 87), Brigitta Pulins (Anna Csiki 72).

Referee: Seth Galia (Gibraltar).