And welcome along to our coverage of Ireland’s second leg clash with Georgia in their opening Euro 2025 play-off.
The aim of tonight’s fixture is to take another step towards qualifying for their first-ever European Championships. And since Eileen Gleeson’s side carry a 6-0 lead from the first meeting in Tbilisi on Friday, this should hopefully be another straight forward win.
From there, Ireland will look forward to another two-legged play-off against Slovakia or Wales [kick-off, 7.15pm] on 29 November and 3 December, with the winners stamping their ticket to Euro 2025.
We’ll have team line-ups for you shortly as we edge closer to the 7.30pm kick-off.
6 hrs ago
7:05PM
Here’s how Ireland will line out:
Ireland have made three changes as Courtney Brosnan back in for Moloney, Jessie Stapleton in for Tyler Toland and Marissa Sheva starts in place of Lily Agg
STARTING XI | Ireland v Georgia
Courtney Brosnan is back in goal, with Jessie Stapleton and Marissa Sheva coming into the starting eleven 👊
Katie McCabe involved in a collision after the kick-off but doesn’t seem to be anything serious as Ireland work the ball out through Courtney Brosnan, who is back in goal following a suspension.
We’re already off the mark as Julie-Ann Russell continues her hot run of form to pounce on a rebound after a powerful shot from Marissa Sheva was saved. That puts Ireland 7-0 ahead on aggregate.
5 hrs ago
7:40PM
6 mins: Ireland 1-0 Georgia
O’Sullivan clips the ball across the Georgia area but there’s no-one in an Irish shirt available to tap the ball home.
5 hrs ago
7:42PM
8 mins: Ireland 1-0 Georgia
Ireland earn the first corner of the game after a period of sustained pressure. McCabe to take.
5 hrs ago
7:44PM
11 mins: Ireland 1-0 Georgia
Kyra Carusa gets her head on the delivery but it just grazes off her and bounces over the end line. Ireland are keeping the ball in Gerogia’s half of the pitch though as Larkin wins a free for a pull on her jersey.
McCabe steps up again to whip the ball in off her left.
5 hrs ago
7:46PM
12 mins: Ireland 1-0 Georgia
Caitlin Hayes gets her head on the ball this time but fails to get the right connection on it.
5 hrs ago
7:47PM
14 mins: Ireland 1-0 Georgia
Larkin and O’Sullivan combine along the wing as Ireland switch the play over to the other channel. An attempted cross from Sheva goes out for a corner.
5 hrs ago
7:48PM
Julie-Ann Russell gives Ireland an early lead. It looks as if the Georgians are in for a long night at Tallaght Stadium.
Lovely pass from Larkin as bodies scramble over possession. McCabe gets on the ball momentarily but she’s dispossessed after legs get tangled up.
McCabe then goes down in the penalty area as a long ball is sent in. Calls for a penalty follow but the referee isn’t interested.
Ireland corner coming up.
5 hrs ago
7:52PM
19 mins: Ireland 1-0 Georgia
McCabe runs it short to O’Sullivan, trying to set up a shot for herself from the edge of the box but Georgia are alert to it.
And for the first time in the game, the visitors are finally in Ireland’s half of the pitch.
5 hrs ago
7:54PM
22 mins: Ireland 1-0 Georgia
The ball goes out for an Ireland throw as Russell takes on Natia Danelia and flies past her. The boot comes out to bring down the Galway United player, and a free is awarded.
5 hrs ago
7:57PM
23 mins: Ireland 1-0 Georgia
Jessie Stapleton sends the ball in but it’s too high for Carusa. The players have been granted a water break while a Georgia injury is addressed.
Meanwhile, it’s 1-0 to Wales against Slovakia, which makes it 2-2 on aggregate.
5 hrs ago
8:00PM
26 mins: Ireland 1-0 Georgia
Good inter play between McCabe and Anna Patten. Ireland look comfortable working possession across the pitch.
The move ends with Aoife Mannion sending in a lovely cross. But Sheva can’t get the right touch on it to try for Ireland’s second goal.
5 hrs ago
8:03PM
29 mins: Ireland 1-0 Georgia
A misplaced pass from Hayes marks the end of another Ireland attack as the ball drifts out over the endline.
Katie McCabe skies her shot and she gets too much under the ball, sending the ball soaring above the bar.
5 hrs ago
8:10PM
36 mins: Ireland 2-0 Georgia
A dramatic few minutes there. Kyra Carusa doubles Ireland’s lead following a ball in from Anna Patten that’s helped on by a lovey touch by Jessie Stapleton.
Carusa features again in the next play as she wins a penalty after being fouled in the box. McCabe takes but fails to convert.
Ireland lead 8-0 on aggregate
5 hrs ago
8:13PM
40 mins: Ireland 2-0 Georgia
CLOSE!
Russell almost gets her second goal of the night after a brilliant pass from Larkin. But credit to Gvantsa Kadagishvil who tracks her run the whole way and gets the vital deflection in.
5 hrs ago
8:15PM
42 mins: Ireland 2-0 Georgia
Another jersey tug on Julie-Ann Russell and this time it’s Ana Cheminava. She becomes the third Georgian player to receive a yellow card in the first half.
5 hrs ago
8:18PM
43 mins: Ireland 2-0 Georgia
An Ireland corner puts the Georgia keeper Tatia Gabunia under pressure. She drops the ball and there’s a big scramble for the loose the ball. Georgia eventually hoof it clear but there are a few injuries to deal with as a result.
Ireland get going again through Aoife Mannion who targets Carusa with a long delivery.
Four minutes of added time are announced.
5 hrs ago
8:21PM
43 mins: Ireland 2-0 Georgia
MISS!
Russell should have her second. Again, it was a gift from a rebound but she puts more of an emphasis on the power from short range and it blazes wide of the far post. Stapleton was unlucky not to see her effort settle in the net with a ripper from outside the box.
Russell has her head in her hands when she fails to finish the saved shot to the net.
5 hrs ago
8:21PM
Ireland lead Georgia 2-0, with Kyra Carusa finding the back of the net following a delightful flick from Jessie Stapleton.
Ireland comfortably the better side after that half. And more dominant than the first half of their first leg encounter.
Could easily be 4-0 up after McCabe’s miss from the penalty spot and Russell’s close range shot fizzed out wide. But a two-goal lead is still a strong reflection of their authority in the game. Russell found the net after just three minutes, and Kyra Carusa’s effort after the half-hour mark was the perfect compliment to Jessie Stapleton’s lovely flick pass.
4 hrs ago
8:31PM
Katie McCabe attempts to find the top corner with her spot-kick, but the ball sails over the crossbar.
One change for the hosts as Lily Agg comes on for Aoife Mannion.
4 hrs ago
8:42PM
50 mins: Ireland 2-0 Georgia
Anna Patten wins a corner for Ireland. The ball is knocked away from McCabe’s kick and Georgia eventually get the ball out as far as the halfway line before Ireland recover possession.
4 hrs ago
8:45PM
53 mins: Ireland 2-0 Georgia
Good hold up play from Carusa to allow O’Sullivan gather the ball. Ireland send over the other side towards Sheva. The ball eventually comes to O’Sullivan and Lily Agg gets on the ball in the Georgia penalty area.
A half block on the shot sees it out for a corner.
McCabe gets her goal and it’s powerful low shot that squeezes inside the post after combining with O’Sullivan from the corner.
That’s a relieving score for the Ireland skipper after missing the penalty.
4 hrs ago
8:50PM
57 mins: Ireland 3-0 Georgia
Kyra Carusa is replaced by Heather Payne and Izzy Atkinson comes in for Abbie Larkin.
4 hrs ago
8:51PM
59 mins: Ireland 3-0 Georgia
Brosnan’s services are required for the first time tonight and makes a save to keep her net clean as Teona Bakradze unleashes an attempt at the far post.
4 hrs ago
8:57PM
64 mins: Ireland 3-0 Georgia
Katie McCabe puts her earlier penalty miss behind her to give Ireland a 3-0 lead over Georgia.
Russell tries to link up with Agg in front of the posts but her shot is caught by the Georgia goalkeeper.
4 hrs ago
9:04PM
71 mins: Ireland 3-0 Georgia
Sheva unlucky to see a ball in hit off her hand on the bounce. Meanwhile, McCabe makes way for Leanne Kiernan.
4 hrs ago
9:08PM
75 mins: Ireland 3-0 Georgia
Ireland not letting their foot off the gas as they keep pushing the Georgians back.
Meanwhile, the clash between Wales and Slovakia is heading for extra-time. The winners of that will face Ireland.
4 hrs ago
9:10PM
77 mins: Ireland 3-0 Georgia
Lots of encouraging play from Russell, Kiernan and Agg. Kiernan releases a brilliant low shot, but it’s booted away.
4 hrs ago
9:13PM
80 mins: Ireland 3-0 Georgia
Ireland make one more change for the final 10 minutes. Ellen Molloy is coming on for Russell.
4 hrs ago
9:19PM
87 mins: Ireland 3-0 Georgia
Kiernan eager to get her name on the scoresheet as she tries one from distance. But her shot is blocked away. The ball eventually comes out to Izzy Atkinson who tries to loop the ball in but she puts too much air under it and floats out over the bar for a goal kick.
4 hrs ago
9:23PM
90 mins: Ireland 3-0 Georgia
Three minutes of added time announced.
4 hrs ago
9:24PM
91 mins: Ireland 3-0 Georgia
Unlucky for Molloy as she drills her shot first time that takes the paint off the crossbar. More good work from Atkinson to cut the ball across for Molloy’s chance.
4 hrs ago
9:25PM
92 mins: Ireland 3-0 Georgia
Julie-Ann Russell announced as Player of the Match.
The players will likely retreat to the dressing room quickly to find out who their opposition will be in their next two-legged play-off. Wales and Slovakia are 2-2 on aggregate at half-time in extra-time. The winners of that clash will face Ireland with a ticket to the Euros on offer.
Goals from Julie-Ann Russell, Kyra Carusa and Katie McCabe wrap up the play-off with a 3-0 win in the second leg, and 9-0 on aggregate.
3 hrs ago
9:31PM
Well that’s all from us folks. Stay tuned for our match report from Emma Duffy and further coverage from Paul Fennessy.
Thanks again for being with us. Until next time, good luck!
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As it happened: Republic of Ireland v Georgia, Euro 2025 play-off second leg
Good evening,
And welcome along to our coverage of Ireland’s second leg clash with Georgia in their opening Euro 2025 play-off.
The aim of tonight’s fixture is to take another step towards qualifying for their first-ever European Championships. And since Eileen Gleeson’s side carry a 6-0 lead from the first meeting in Tbilisi on Friday, this should hopefully be another straight forward win.
From there, Ireland will look forward to another two-legged play-off against Slovakia or Wales [kick-off, 7.15pm] on 29 November and 3 December, with the winners stamping their ticket to Euro 2025.
We’ll have team line-ups for you shortly as we edge closer to the 7.30pm kick-off.
Here’s how Ireland will line out:
Ireland have made three changes as Courtney Brosnan back in for Moloney, Jessie Stapleton in for Tyler Toland and Marissa Sheva starts in place of Lily Agg
And here is how Georgia will line out:
Tatia Gabunia; Gvantsa Kadagishvil, Mariam Kalandadze, Salome Gasviani; Sopiko Narsia, Natia Danelia, Nino Bukhrikize; Irina Khaburdzania, Teona Bakradze, Ana Cheminava.
Before the game gets underway, have a look at Emma Duffy’s preview here:
Ireland out to put on a show at sold-out Tallaght but tonight’s main event is in Cardiff
Her match report will follow the coverage of our liveblog along with other insights from Paul Fennessy. Both are reporting live from Tallaght Stadium.
The teams are out on the pitch now.
Kick-Off! Republic of Ireland v Georgia
1 min: Ireland 0-0 Georgia
Katie McCabe involved in a collision after the kick-off but doesn’t seem to be anything serious as Ireland work the ball out through Courtney Brosnan, who is back in goal following a suspension.
GOAL! Ireland 1-0 Georgia (Julie-Ann Russell ’3)
4 mins: Ireland 1-0 Georgia
We’re already off the mark as Julie-Ann Russell continues her hot run of form to pounce on a rebound after a powerful shot from Marissa Sheva was saved. That puts Ireland 7-0 ahead on aggregate.
6 mins: Ireland 1-0 Georgia
O’Sullivan clips the ball across the Georgia area but there’s no-one in an Irish shirt available to tap the ball home.
8 mins: Ireland 1-0 Georgia
Ireland earn the first corner of the game after a period of sustained pressure. McCabe to take.
11 mins: Ireland 1-0 Georgia
Kyra Carusa gets her head on the delivery but it just grazes off her and bounces over the end line. Ireland are keeping the ball in Gerogia’s half of the pitch though as Larkin wins a free for a pull on her jersey.
McCabe steps up again to whip the ball in off her left.
12 mins: Ireland 1-0 Georgia
Caitlin Hayes gets her head on the ball this time but fails to get the right connection on it.
14 mins: Ireland 1-0 Georgia
Larkin and O’Sullivan combine along the wing as Ireland switch the play over to the other channel. An attempted cross from Sheva goes out for a corner.
18 mins: Ireland 1-0 Georgia
Lovely pass from Larkin as bodies scramble over possession. McCabe gets on the ball momentarily but she’s dispossessed after legs get tangled up.
McCabe then goes down in the penalty area as a long ball is sent in. Calls for a penalty follow but the referee isn’t interested.
Ireland corner coming up.
19 mins: Ireland 1-0 Georgia
McCabe runs it short to O’Sullivan, trying to set up a shot for herself from the edge of the box but Georgia are alert to it.
And for the first time in the game, the visitors are finally in Ireland’s half of the pitch.
22 mins: Ireland 1-0 Georgia
The ball goes out for an Ireland throw as Russell takes on Natia Danelia and flies past her. The boot comes out to bring down the Galway United player, and a free is awarded.
23 mins: Ireland 1-0 Georgia
Jessie Stapleton sends the ball in but it’s too high for Carusa. The players have been granted a water break while a Georgia injury is addressed.
Meanwhile, it’s 1-0 to Wales against Slovakia, which makes it 2-2 on aggregate.
26 mins: Ireland 1-0 Georgia
Good inter play between McCabe and Anna Patten. Ireland look comfortable working possession across the pitch.
The move ends with Aoife Mannion sending in a lovely cross. But Sheva can’t get the right touch on it to try for Ireland’s second goal.
29 mins: Ireland 1-0 Georgia
A misplaced pass from Hayes marks the end of another Ireland attack as the ball drifts out over the endline.
GOAL! Ireland 2-0 Georgia (Kyra Carusa ’31)
PENALTY! Ireland 2-0 Georgia
Ireland finally have their second goal, and they could be about to have their third as Carusa is brought down in the area. Referee points to the spot.
PENALTY MISS! Ireland 2-0 Georgia
Katie McCabe skies her shot and she gets too much under the ball, sending the ball soaring above the bar.
36 mins: Ireland 2-0 Georgia
A dramatic few minutes there. Kyra Carusa doubles Ireland’s lead following a ball in from Anna Patten that’s helped on by a lovey touch by Jessie Stapleton.
Carusa features again in the next play as she wins a penalty after being fouled in the box. McCabe takes but fails to convert.
Ireland lead 8-0 on aggregate
40 mins: Ireland 2-0 Georgia
CLOSE!
Russell almost gets her second goal of the night after a brilliant pass from Larkin. But credit to Gvantsa Kadagishvil who tracks her run the whole way and gets the vital deflection in.
42 mins: Ireland 2-0 Georgia
Another jersey tug on Julie-Ann Russell and this time it’s Ana Cheminava. She becomes the third Georgian player to receive a yellow card in the first half.
43 mins: Ireland 2-0 Georgia
An Ireland corner puts the Georgia keeper Tatia Gabunia under pressure. She drops the ball and there’s a big scramble for the loose the ball. Georgia eventually hoof it clear but there are a few injuries to deal with as a result.
Ireland get going again through Aoife Mannion who targets Carusa with a long delivery.
Four minutes of added time are announced.
43 mins: Ireland 2-0 Georgia
MISS!
Russell should have her second. Again, it was a gift from a rebound but she puts more of an emphasis on the power from short range and it blazes wide of the far post. Stapleton was unlucky not to see her effort settle in the net with a ripper from outside the box.
Russell has her head in her hands when she fails to finish the saved shot to the net.
Half-Time! Republic of Ireland 2-0 Georgia
Ireland 2-0 Georgia
Ireland comfortably the better side after that half. And more dominant than the first half of their first leg encounter.
Could easily be 4-0 up after McCabe’s miss from the penalty spot and Russell’s close range shot fizzed out wide. But a two-goal lead is still a strong reflection of their authority in the game. Russell found the net after just three minutes, and Kyra Carusa’s effort after the half-hour mark was the perfect compliment to Jessie Stapleton’s lovely flick pass.
Second Half: Ireland 2-0 Georgia
46 mins: Ireland 2-0 Georgia
One change for the hosts as Lily Agg comes on for Aoife Mannion.
50 mins: Ireland 2-0 Georgia
Anna Patten wins a corner for Ireland. The ball is knocked away from McCabe’s kick and Georgia eventually get the ball out as far as the halfway line before Ireland recover possession.
53 mins: Ireland 2-0 Georgia
Good hold up play from Carusa to allow O’Sullivan gather the ball. Ireland send over the other side towards Sheva. The ball eventually comes to O’Sullivan and Lily Agg gets on the ball in the Georgia penalty area.
A half block on the shot sees it out for a corner.
54 mins: Ireland 2-0 Georgia
Ireland go short with another corner.
GOAL! Ireland 3-0 Georgia (Katie McCabe ’54)
56 mins: Ireland 3-0 Georgia
McCabe gets her goal and it’s powerful low shot that squeezes inside the post after combining with O’Sullivan from the corner.
That’s a relieving score for the Ireland skipper after missing the penalty.
57 mins: Ireland 3-0 Georgia
Kyra Carusa is replaced by Heather Payne and Izzy Atkinson comes in for Abbie Larkin.
59 mins: Ireland 3-0 Georgia
Brosnan’s services are required for the first time tonight and makes a save to keep her net clean as Teona Bakradze unleashes an attempt at the far post.
64 mins: Ireland 3-0 Georgia
70 mins: Ireland 3-0 Georgia
Russell tries to link up with Agg in front of the posts but her shot is caught by the Georgia goalkeeper.
71 mins: Ireland 3-0 Georgia
Sheva unlucky to see a ball in hit off her hand on the bounce. Meanwhile, McCabe makes way for Leanne Kiernan.
75 mins: Ireland 3-0 Georgia
Ireland not letting their foot off the gas as they keep pushing the Georgians back.
Meanwhile, the clash between Wales and Slovakia is heading for extra-time. The winners of that will face Ireland.
77 mins: Ireland 3-0 Georgia
Lots of encouraging play from Russell, Kiernan and Agg. Kiernan releases a brilliant low shot, but it’s booted away.
80 mins: Ireland 3-0 Georgia
Ireland make one more change for the final 10 minutes. Ellen Molloy is coming on for Russell.
87 mins: Ireland 3-0 Georgia
Kiernan eager to get her name on the scoresheet as she tries one from distance. But her shot is blocked away. The ball eventually comes out to Izzy Atkinson who tries to loop the ball in but she puts too much air under it and floats out over the bar for a goal kick.
90 mins: Ireland 3-0 Georgia
Three minutes of added time announced.
91 mins: Ireland 3-0 Georgia
Unlucky for Molloy as she drills her shot first time that takes the paint off the crossbar. More good work from Atkinson to cut the ball across for Molloy’s chance.
92 mins: Ireland 3-0 Georgia
Julie-Ann Russell announced as Player of the Match.
Full-Time! Republic of Ireland 3-0 Georgia
Republic of Ireland 3-0 Georgia
Job done, and another big one to follow.
The players will likely retreat to the dressing room quickly to find out who their opposition will be in their next two-legged play-off. Wales and Slovakia are 2-2 on aggregate at half-time in extra-time. The winners of that clash will face Ireland with a ticket to the Euros on offer.
Goals from Julie-Ann Russell, Kyra Carusa and Katie McCabe wrap up the play-off with a 3-0 win in the second leg, and 9-0 on aggregate.
Well that’s all from us folks. Stay tuned for our match report from Emma Duffy and further coverage from Paul Fennessy.
Thanks again for being with us. Until next time, good luck!
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euro 2025 Georgia Minute-by-Minute Republic Of Ireland Soccer WNT