Ireland 3-1 France
Hello, and welcome to today’s liveblog.
Already-qualified France face already-relegated Ireland in the final game of the group stages.
Yet both teams have something to play for — a win will guarantee France top spot in the group, while how well or badly Ireland perform could impact their seeding in the playoffs.
It’s been a frustrating campaign for Eileen Gleeson’s side, with five losses from five, although they ended Friday’s defeat by England positively, with Julie-Ann Russell scoring their first goal since the group stages began in the dying moments of the game.
As with last week, goal difference will be important for the playoffs, so a narrow loss is not necessarily the worst result in the world.
They are four goals better off than Poland in a race for a slightly easier route to Euros qualification, with both sides on zero points.
So it’s important Eileen Gleeson’s team match or better the result of the Poles, who host Iceland this evening.
Kick-off for the fixture at Páirc Uí Chaoimh is 6pm.
Confirmation of today’s teams…
STARTING XI | Ireland v France
— Ireland Football ⚽️🇮🇪 (@IrelandFootball) July 16, 2024
The team to start in Cork ☘️#COYGIG | #OUTBELIEVE pic.twitter.com/A1LoF78eQh
Le 𝑿𝑰 pour affronter l’Irlande 🇮🇪🔥
— Equipe de France Féminine (@equipedefranceF) July 16, 2024
Coup d’envoi à 19h00 sur @w9 📺#IRLFRA #FiersdetreBleues pic.twitter.com/wPf96gbYM8
3 mins – Nervy moment for the French goalkeeper.
She dwells on the ball and Russell nearly nicks it off her.
9 mins – Half-chance for France.
Dufour is played through after getting in behind Ziu, but the Irish player gets back well to make the recovery tackle.
11 mins – Cascarino puts in a dangerous cross from the left, but there is no one there to convert and it drifts out of play.
As expected, France have dominated possession and territory, but haven’t seriously threatened so far.
17 mins – Russell does well to win a header before Ziu’s effort from the edge of the area goes a few inches wide.
Moments later, Kiernan finds space in the area and Picaud gets down well to stop her shot.
Better from Ireland.
23 mins – Ireland try to play out from the back but McCabe passes it straight to Bacha.
Luckily for the hosts, the French star’s powerful strike from the edge of the area goes wide.
29 mins – Ireland have sporadically threatened on the counter.
The latest instance sees Russell in a promising position but she can’t quite find McCabe with her pass and the move breaks down.
31 mins – The lively Bacha is afforded too much space on the edge of the area.
Her shot goes narrowly over in what is probably the closest yet either side have come to scoring.
34 mins – A McCabe corner finds Hayes, whose header deflects into the arms of Picaud.
There are appeals for handball and a protest after the header hits off the arm of Lakrar but the referee ignores Irish players’ protests.
Judging by replays, France were lucky there.
Poland have gone 1-0 down against Iceland.
So that’s good new for Ireland in terms of their seeding in the playoffs.
Here’s a look at the closest Ireland have come to scoring…
🇮🇪 0-0 🇫🇷
— RTÉ Sport (@RTEsport) July 16, 2024
Kiernan drew a decent save from Picaud with the first big chance of the game
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45 mins – Samoura concedes possession in a dangerous area.
But unfortunately, Kiernan can’t find an Irish player with her low cross.
HALF-TIME: IRELAND 0-0 FRANCE
So the first half has come to an end.
It’s been a tight game and not great to watch.
But Ireland won’t mind, as they are containing France at the moment.
Eileen Gleeson will be the happier of the two managers at the break.
France, who made 11 changes going into this game, have only been able to create a couple of half-chances.
Ireland have also occasionally threatened and might have done better when finding themselves in promising positions in the final third on a few occasions.
Some first-half stats for you.
France had seven shots to Ireland’s two, though both sides have only managed one on target.
The visitors have also dominated possession with 66% as it stands.
The hosts have had six touches in their opponents’ area, while France have had eight.
Here’s a look at that penalty claim for Ireland…
Half-time: 🇮🇪 0-0 🇫🇷
— RTÉ Sport (@RTEsport) July 16, 2024
All square in Cork at the break but should Ireland have had a penalty when the ball brushed the arm of Lakrar?
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📱 Updates https://t.co/iOMdrj4J96 #WEURO2025 pic.twitter.com/pVWygVq9gY
The second half has begun
France make a change at the break.
Baltimore is replaced by Delphine Cascarino, who almost makes an immediate impact, forcing a good save by Brosnan from a tight angle after beating the Irish offside trap and latching on to an lofted through ball.
50 mins: O’Sullivan makes a really positive, purposeful run forward through midfield.
However, she can’t pick out the onrushing Kiernan with her through pass.
51 mins: Chance for Ireland! A McCabe long throw finds Ziu.
The midfielder sees a shot from the edge of the area saved by Picaud.
Russell can’t quite get a proper connection with the follow-up on the rebound and the goalkeeper gathers it comfortably.
55 mins: Ireland make their first change.
Littlejohn is replaced by Lily Agg, who will provide extra energy in midfield.
56 mins: Bècho wins a header from Bacha’s free kick.
But Brosnan gathers the high-hanging ball and collides with Henry as she does so.
The French player has to receive treatment after taking a knock but looks like she’ll be okay to continue.
58 mins: Russell wins the ball off the French defender and sends Kiernan through on goal.
The striker goes down as she bears in on goal with Samoura nearby, but the referee again waves away claims for a penalty.
61 mins: More French changes
De Almeida and Geyoro replace Lakrar, who has picked up a knock, and Cascarino.
IRELAND 1-0 FRANCE (O’SULLIVAN 66)
Out of nothing, Ireland are ahead.
Russell controls a long ball and lays it off to O’Sullivan.
The Cork-born midfielder’s shot is too powerful for Picaud, who gets a touch but can’t stop it finding the net.
70 mins: France nearly produce a quick response as an audacious shot from Bacha goes just wide.
The visitors have also made another change, with Diani on for Dufour.
Here’s a look at the opening goal…
🇮🇪 1-0 🇫🇷
— RTÉ Sport (@RTEsport) July 16, 2024
Denise O'Sullivan places a low shot from just outside the box into the corner of the net and Ireland lead!
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IRELAND 2-0 FRANCE (RUSSELL 76)
O’Sullivan chips a ball over the top that Russell latches onto.
She evades the attentions of De Almeida, before producing a superb finish into the corner of the net.
Ireland have been excellent this second half and this scoreline doesn’t feel undeserved or fortuitous.
IRELAND 2-1 FRANCE (BECHO 79)
France are back in it.
Cascarino and Diani link up well down the right before a low cross is met by Bècho, who scrambles it home.
83 mins: France go close to an equaliser.
Diani’s powerful shot from distance hits the outside of the post.
87 mins: Bacha finds herself in a promising position but overhits the cross.
Ireland make a second change, with Connolly replacing Kiernan.
IRELAND 3-1 FRANCE (PATTEN 90)
Connolly’s corner is met by Patten and goes in via a deflection off Geyoro.
That’s surely game over now.
There will be nine minutes of stoppage time.
Russell has been named player of the match by RTÉ.
Here’s a look at the second and third goals of the game…
🇮🇪 2-0 🇫🇷
— RTÉ Sport (@RTEsport) July 16, 2024
Julie-Ann Russell doubles Ireland's lead with a superb finish
📺 Live on @RTE2 and @RTEPlayer #WEURO2025 pic.twitter.com/PaKvX9PgKC
🇮🇪 2-1 🇫🇷
— RTÉ Sport (@RTEsport) July 16, 2024
France get one back through a scrappy finish from Becho
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FULL-TIME: IRELAND 3-1 FRANCE
So that’s that.
A brilliant win for Ireland.
It was a largely forgettable campaign, but beating the number two side in the world is a sensational way to end it.
France still top the group after England drew 0-0 with Sweden and it’s only their second loss in this group, having won four.
It was comfortably Ireland’s best performance of the campaign, with O’Sullivan, Russell and Ziu among the standout players, and they deserved it with France struggling to cause their defence undue problems.
There is the caveat that the visitors made 11 changes, which was arguably disrespectful, and probably spurred on the hosts to deliver an outstanding display.
Here’s a look at the goal that all but ensured Ireland’s win…
🇮🇪 3-1 🇫🇷
— RTÉ Sport (@RTEsport) July 16, 2024
Three points surely in the bag as the ball goes in off Geyoro under pressure from Anna Patten#WEURO2025 pic.twitter.com/4XlBKpw7Bu
Right, that’s all from me for now.
Thanks for reading and commenting.
You can read our match report here and we’ll have plenty more reaction to follow.
Pleasantly surprised with that team selection. Great to see Lowry get a chance. Would have liked to have seen Coombes or Timoney and Carty on the bench over Sexton/Conan as we know what they can do. Pretty sure Baloucoune, Conway, Ryan all have knocks, weren’t training anyway. Great to see Lowe back after his impressive last few months. People like to not like him but he offers something we don’t have, a savage left boot (only option in squad) and and the KBA- spoke about by ROG is prominent throughout the 80 mins. Him, Carbery, Hansen, Lowry and Ringrose all playmakers which is a real plus. Italy will struggle to cope. Ireland by 35…
@Stanley: good call with team selection except Lowe .
@Stanley: O’Mahoney really shouldn’t be playing this type of game. Everyone already know what he brings, which is very little. Should have tried someone like coombes there.
@Dave Moran: need a bit of balance and a leader for the troops. His experience will help the other lads settle in on the pitch, and he’s a great captain. He’s not in the plans long term but he’s a savage option for this game
@Sean Barry: talk to someone it will help
@Dave Moran: So O’ Mahoney brings very little. Take off those blue tinted glasses.
@Dave Moran:….sorry, disagree….we know what we missed vs France , experienced leadership….worth his place for that.
@Dave Moran: and you as a self proclaimed English man shouldn’t be commenting on here
@Sean Barry: the guy says he’d rather see Coombes ahead of O’Mahony and you say he has blue tinted glasses. Either you haven’t a clue what you’re taking about or you flew into a Munster rage without reading the full reply.
@Sean Barry: keep posting mate. It’s guys like you who have told Lowry his whole career he won’t make it. Currently a nominee for European player of the year and now an international.
@Sean Barry: lol, the lad that will probably bag a hat-trick in the same match, yeah terrible selection.
@Dave Moran: Haven’t been O’Mahony’s biggest fan but he has been playing out of his skin since last autumn. If people can’t see that they are actively choosing not to. Also, given the poor decision making 2 weeks ago, leadership is an issue for this group.
Baird and Treadwell is a bit of a concern in terms of 2nd row options. We look light there.
Great to see Lowry and Sheehan start. They deserve a shot. Great to see Hume, Casey and Kilcoyne involved too. Kilcoyne definitely a better bench option than Healy
@Dave Moran: I’m Leinster through and through but in fairness to O Mahoney he is playing great ball these days. He is a senior player and has massive experience. He deserves his place in the squad, it’s only a pity that by him being there Coombes misses out on the experience but you can have it every way
@Eoin Roche: And miss three tackles in return
@Stanley: I agree. POM will first of all help a line out composed of two locks who’ve never played together before. But also he is an excellent leader. Personally as a Leinster man I think he’s underrated by many Ireland fans outside of Munster. Only real issue I have is id like to have seen Coombes start but all in all I think this is the right team for this game.
@Sean Barry: I suppose you would have went for Zebo??
@Emmet Martin: re POM, agreed that he’s been playing well, but is he going to be around for the World Cup? His experience got him sent off V wales and he got dropped from the squad for the lions. Would have preferred coombes & Carty instead of Conan & sexto. Nice to see Lowry, Lowe and henshaw start. Green Tinted glasses
@Sean Barry: is coombes heading to Dublin as part of the Jenkins deal?
@Dave Moran: Coombes is a number 8
@Pete Slattery ✏️: To add to the mix I would prefer to see Coombes ahead of Conan on the bench. Jack has been very poor in the last two games.
@Sean Barry: Jim? Is that you?
@Will: zebo Well passed it. Lamour all day long.
@Jeremy Kilpatrick: being nominated isn’t quiet the achievement people make … Jimmy O’Brien is nominated too.
@Danger: yes, O’Mahony probably will be in the Irish squad for RWC. Don’t think that’s particularly far fetched? He’ll be just turning 34. Will probably be captain for some of the easier pool games.
@Emmet Martin: I hope not. He won’t be in the 23 for the big games. Why bring someone who is not pushing for selection for the 23?
@whoowhat?: a touch of dictatorship with that comment, ign0rant at best.
@Dave Moran: Line-out. You have a new hooker starting and with him you need an experienced leader calling the the throws. Also Baird’s first start and POM gives us another option in the line-out. Horses for courses. Great balance in the forwards. Good call by Farrell.
@Dave Moran: very little? You clearly know f all about rugby
@Dave Moran: Cop yourself on, O’Mahony brings very little ? Ridiculous Leinster type comment, put on your bloody green jersey and not the blue one, no wonder Leinster are despised outside the M50.
@Emmet Martin: Treadwell is 6ft 7 & 18.5 stone. Not exactly light haha
Congratulations to Michael Lowry, well deserved.
@Bob Cummings: has the potential to be a 10. Cracking footballer
Great to see Mike Lowry in there. He has been genuinely thrilling to watch at times this season. TV does not do justice to his acceleration.
@Justin Robinson: when he opens his legs, do you get excited?
@Danger: perv
Happy enough with this selection, great chance for carbery to try stake his claim . Delighted fo Lowry , he’s been amazing for ulster since he came in . Hopefully he can bring that same intent to the national squad . Would have liked to see Hume starting this one though , we are all very familiar with the other midfield combinations.
Very harsh on Larmour considering Hansen is primarily a left wing and wouldnt be played there against any top nation. Farrell clearly not a fan even though he has been in good form. Excited to see Lowry in full back..
@Dave Moran: labour over Lowe any day.
@Sean Barry: keep dreaming have u not watched Lowe this season
@Dave Moran: Last time they met Hansen have a lovely try that involved an unfortunate a$$ to face tackle technique from Larmour… Bruising, ego wise
@thesaltyurchin: was that the game Hansen made a fantastic try saving tackle on Dan Shehan
@Sean Barry: ‘labour over Lowe any day.’ well they are both supposed to be left wingers
@Dave Moran: crying a river that there ANY non Leinster players in an Irish rugby team
@Dave Moran: there’s enough leinster players on I’d say. Larmour hasn’t performed in a green Jersey. He had his chance
Glorious! Christmas has come early ^^*
Only one missing for me is Robert Baloucoune
@GrassHopper: he’s injured
Looking at the bench, Farrell must be looking to move Carbery to fullback if lowery needs to come off.
Exciting experimental team here.
@Aaron Tynan: Hansen or Henshaw can also cover full back. Lowry can also cover 10 and I would expect to see him offering himself as an option in the 10 channel as the game progresses.
Down to 12 Leinster International picks this time prefer to see Harry Byrne twiddling his thumbs rather than wasting Jacks time again. France is beckoning
Great to see Lowry getting a start
With six changes (plus 1 positional) from the team that started against France, anything other than a comfortable bonus point win and Farrell risks being very conservative in his future selections.
Just asking what Treadwell is like, haven’t seen him play much, is he a ball playing or grunting forward
@Michael Hanrahan: He’s a younger, poorer, English version of Ross Moloney.
@Michael Hanrahan: He’s a mobile lock who likes to carry and get his hands free. He’s nothing like Molony, Molony is more like O’Connor.
@Sustainable Hedgehog: I meant in terms of quality. He also seems like a bit of a penalty machine? Even for Ulster I would take O’Connor ahead of him.
@Richard James: I’d take O’Connor too but I think AF selected him for his mobility, he’s more mobile than AOC and RM. And it’s a bit harsh to call him a penalty machine based on the one mad tip tackle against Munster.
@Sustainable Hedgehog: 3 penelties this season to malonys 6. Albeit Molony has played nearly twice as much. Can’t see how you can lable one a penalty machine when both are about even.
Jack Carty hard done by again