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Irish Daily Mirror
3 days ago
- General
- Irish Daily Mirror
Ireland goalscorer Saoirse Noonan on 'surreal' Páirc Uí Chaoimh homecoming
Saoirse Noonan described her Páirc Uí Chaoimh goals as 'surreal' - as the former Cork Gaelic footballer marked her return to her hometown venue in spectacular style. It wasn't enough to earn Ireland the margin of victory needed to secure automatic promotion to League A, as the Girls in Green needed to beat Slovenia by four to leapfrog them into top spot. But with a promotion/relegation play-off still to come in October against one of Austria, Iceland, Belgium or Denmark, Ireland will have a second bite of the cherry. And if they can follow Noonan's lead, and make it second time lucky, then Carla Ward's side can look forward to top-tier football next year in the World Cup qualifiers. The Celtic striker didn't score when she represented Cork at the iconic Leeside stadium in 2020, in a league match against Westmeath, but she found the net on Tuesday evening. 'It was a bit surreal,' she said of her goal. 'Obviously my first competitive start so I was just trying to find my feet, ease my way into the game and not get caught up in the moment. 'It's unbelievable, I'm absolutely delighted.' She added: 'Obviously the first thing was to go out and win the game but the bigger picture, we obviously wanted to get the goals. 'We started off well, that's something that we've spoken about the last few days, I think we did that. We had a lot of chances, possession, we played really well. 'They're a good team, at least we got the win and it's something we can build on going forward.' Ireland had plenty of chances to add to that lead before half-time, while they continued to create openings after the break. However, they couldn't break down Slovenia's stubborn resistance. 'I think we thought, a 1-0 lead, can we get another one before half time? That was the focus,' said Noonan. 'We were pushing, we were unlucky, one or two decisions we could have made better. 'Look, it's about building. This team is good, we're working hard every day, we're growing - you can see the growth. 'From the first time Carla came in to now, even for myself, I feel like each camp and each day, you feel like you're getting better.' As for playing again in Páirc Uí Chaoimh, she said: 'To come back wearing a different shirt, it's the same feeling, you're representing something you're really proud of. It's phenomenal.' Meanwhile, Ireland coach Ward confirmed that centre-half Anna Patton would have to sit out the first-leg of the play-off through suspension. She added that the performance last night, although lacking in the goals needed to top the group, offered much to build on ahead of the play-offs. Next up for Ireland is a friendly double-header away to the USA at the end of the month. 'We are still building,' said Ward. 'Through this entire campaign we have had five training sessions with the entire squad, so to build the way we are and to finish the way we did, I could not ask for more. 'A couple of more goals? Yes. But we got to be proud of that performance. That was an Irish performance.' Describing the performance against Slovenia, the former Aston Villa boss added: 'Probably the way I'd put it would be a Carla Ward team on the ball and an Irish mentality off the ball. 'That's what we need to build on. We have to build on. 'If we want to play in an exciting way going forward, and that's the way I like my teams to play, we have to be better off the ball. And that was the start of it tonight. 'Now we go to the US and play the best in the world and try to continue that work, but there is still a lot of work to do. 'What it does do is put us in a position to build. And I said to the group; that's something, firstly, you can be proud of, secondly, that you can build upon and, thirdly, if we can combine the two, the future is bright.'
Irish Daily Mirror
3 days ago
- General
- Irish Daily Mirror
Ireland v Slovenia player ratings as Girls in Green to face play-off
COURTNEY BROSNAN: Pulled off a crucial save at the end of a quiet first-half and a couple more after the break. 7 JESSIE STAPLETON: Excellent first-time cross for the opener, one of many dangerous right-wing deliveries. 7 ANNA PATTEN: Mostly involved in the opposition area, where a handful of opportunities fell her way. 6 CAITLIN HAYES: A confident first start under Ward, but missed a great chance to score. 6 ABBIE LARKIN: A constant threat on the left with her willingness to run at defenders. 7 DENISE O'SULLIVAN: Kept Ireland on the front-foot in possession, and was quick to break up Slovenian play. 7 MEGAN CONNOLLY: Delivered plenty of dangerous crosses and wasn't afraid to have a go herself. 7 EMILY MURPHY: Her best performance to date for Ireland should have been crowned with a goal. 8 KATIE McCABE: The target of some tough tackles. Linked up well with Larkin on the left. 7 KYRA CARUSA: Did a lot of running the channels, but touch let her down at times. 7 SAOIRSE NOONAN: The former Cork Gaelic footballer made a dream return to Páirc Uí Chaoimh. 7 SUBS: Megan Campbell (for Stapleton 62): Produced a handful of trademark long throws. 6 Amber Barrett (for Noonan 62): Added some pace to the Irish attack. 6 Louise Quinn (for Larkin 80): Not on long enough to rate. Marissa Sheva (for Carusa 80): Not on long enough to rate.
Irish Daily Mirror
3 days ago
- General
- Irish Daily Mirror
Ex-Cork GAA star scores winner at Páirc Uí Chaoimh - but Ireland face play-off
An opening that was written in the stars failed to deliver a fairytale ending. Ireland got the early goal they craved at Páirc Uí Chaoimh, fittingly delivered by former Cork Gaelic footballer Saoirse Noonan. Yet despite a dominant Nations League display that saw them camped inside the Slovenian final third for much of the game, that was the end of the scoring. Carla Ward's side needed a four-goal win to leapfrog Slovenia and earn automatic promotion back to League A, thanks to the 4-0 hammering served up in the reverse fixture earlier in the campaign. Chance after chance fell, but a combination of poor finishing, brave defending and solid goalkeeping frustrated the Girls in Green, who now face a play-off against a third-placed League A side in their bid to return to the top-flight of European competition. The celebrations on the visiting bench at the final whistle told its own tale. Ireland reverted to the three-at-the-back that served them well under Vera Pauw and Eileen Gleeson, after five games with a back-four under Ward. And there was a first start under the new manager for Caitlin Hayes, the previously ever-present defender, who had managed just 50 minutes over three substitute appearances. Straight away the Girls in Green looked a lot more resilient at the back, not that they were called to do much defending in the opening half. It was largely one-way traffic, with Ireland causing plenty of problems on the left, where Katie McCabe and Abbie Larkin linked up to great effect. On the other flank, Emily Murphy gave her finest display yet in a green jersey and was unlucky not to get her name on the scoresheet. That honour fell to Cork's own Noonan on 19 minutes, thanks to contributions on either wing from McCabe and Murphy, and a delightful cross by Jessie Stapleton. McCabe's cross was headed clear, but Murphy was alert enough to retrieve the ball near the right-hand sideline and lay it back to Stapleton. Her first-time cross was headed high and central by Noonan, over the despairing dive of goalkeeper Zala Mersnik and into the net. Prior to that, Irish intentions were clearly stated. With less than two minutes on the clock, McCabe's corner was met at the back post by Noonan, and her thumping header was cleared off the line by Zara Kramzar. Three minutes later and a short corner on the right gave McCabe another opportunity to cross. This time the ball was headed over by a defender as Anna Patten was ready to pounce. Ireland continued to attack and Denise O'Sullivan slipped the ball inside to Megan Connolly, but her shot was blocked by Sara Agrez, while Larkin drew a save from Mersnik. The chances continued to fall Ireland's way after Noonan's goal. Kyra Carusa, with her back to goal, attempted to steer the ball on target, but her effort bobbled wide of the right-hand post. A Murphy header from another left-wing delivery was aimed straight at the goalkeeper, and just past the half-hour mark, Connolly's shot from 20 yards was blocked by Agrez. Patten couldn't direct her header on target as she stepped across her marker to connect with a McCabe cross. A super piece of skill and link-up play between Noonan and Larkin almost led to an opening. But a reminder of the need to concentrate at both ends of the pitch was delivered moments before half-time when Lara Prasnikar raced into the area and forced Courtney Brosnan to make a smart save. Early Irish pressure in the second-half led to a couple of set-pieces, but nothing to cause Mersnik too much trouble. The same could be said about a Connolly effort from 20 yards that fizzed over the bar in the 59th minute. The excellent Murphy was denied by a diving block as Irish players, including McCabe and Larkin, queued up to find room to shoot, while on the sideline Ward turned to her bench to freshen up her attack. On came Amber Barrett for goalscorer Noonan, and long-throw expert Megan Campbell, whose first effort moments after her arrival was headed just wide by Patton. Murphy fired just over from a tight angle as she raced onto Carusa's lay-off, with Carusa screaming for the ball to be returned to her in the centre. Hayes should have scored in the 73rd minute when she met Connolly's in-swinging free-kick from the left, but her header sailed wide of the far post. Murphy then drew a save from Mersnik when she cut in from the left and let fly from 20 yards, while the keeper got her hands to another Murphy effort in the 86th minute - a frustrating end to a frustrating evening.
RTÉ News
3 days ago
- General
- RTÉ News
Ireland beat Slovenia but fall short in promotion quest
The Republic of Ireland delivered their best peformance under Carla Ward to date but fell short in their pursuit of Nations League promotion, despite beating Slovenia 1-0 at Páirc Uí Chaoimh. The Girls in Green needed to win by four goals or more to pip the Slovenians to top spot in League B Group 2. Saoirse Noonan's first-half header seemed like it might it lay the platform for an emphatic result, but the visitors - who thumped Ireland 4-0 in February - clung onto the ropes to see this out. Slovenia head for League A while Ireland will wait on Friday's lunchtime draw to learn who they'll face in October's two-legged promotion/relegation play-off against one of the League A third-placed countries (Denmark, Belgium, Iceland or Austria). For sure, morale will have been lifted by a much-improved showing. Ireland were at it from the off, huffing and puffing in a sharp opening five minutes. Noonan met McCabe's corner with a powerful header that the well-placed Zara Kramzar booted to safety; Patten had a header deflected over the bar; and the centre-half then hooked a close-range volley into the hands of Zala Mersnik. It was purposeful, cohesive stuff from the Girls in Green, with McCabe, O'Sullivan and the excellent Emily Murphy stitching together fluid patterns of play in windy conditions on Leeside. Abbie Larkin was on song too. She danced past a couple of challenges before drilling in a low effort that Mersnik gobbled up. The Girls in Green were on top. On 19 minutes, they got their lifeline. GOAL IRELAND IRL 1-0 SVN Saoirse Noonan heads home to hand Ireland the lead against Slovenia. #rtesoccer 📱Updates: 📺 @RTE2 and @RTEplayer 📻 @GameOn2FM — RTÉ Sport (@RTEsport) June 3, 2025 Stapleton swung in a dipping right-wing cross that was nodded home by Noonan, who once graced this pitch in the colours of the Cork Gaelic footballers. Carusa should have made it two just four minutes later, slashing wide after swivelling a dropping ball in the six-yard box. There was a real belief to Ireland's play as they searched for a second. Carusa guided a header over; then Murphy did likewise following smart McCabe build-up down the left flank. Murphy was a menace throughout. The Newcastle United attacker constantly ran at Slovenia, and often had them hacking at thin air as she bobbed and weaved down the right. Connolly almost benefited from a fine Murphy run and cross when a half-clearance fell nicely for the Lazio midfielder, whose goalbound effort was blocked by Sara Agrez. Slovenia were not comfortable. Manager Sasa Kolman went in the book for vocal protestations aimed at Slovakian referee Miriama Bockova, but in truth his side were guilty of persistent fouling as they tried to disrupt Irish momentum. For all their good moments, the second goal just wouldn't come for Ireland. Patten almost capitalised on hesitant defending when she ghosted in for an opportunistic header, but it flashed wide. They were indebted to Brosnan on the stroke of half-time when she denied Prasnikar who'd hared through after a fluid counter. One up at the break, Ward would have asked for more of the same. And it remained one-way traffic on the turnaround. Indeed they almost enjoyed the perfect start to the half when Connolly picked out Stapleton, free as a bird in the box. The 20-year-old glanced her header straight at Mersnik. Connolly's snap shot whistled a yard over the bar just before the hour mark as Ireland grafted to break down Slovenia's commmitted low block. Ward then played her trump card. On came Megan Campbell and Amber Barrett for Stapleton and Noonan - and that gave the Páirc crowd a spectacle they'd been waiting for: Campbell's mega -throw. She was only in the game two minutes when the first chance to launch one arrived. Hayes got on the end of it; the effort bounced wide. Murphy lashed a rising drive over from a tight angle, and Hayes glanced yet another header wide off a wicked Connolly delivery. But that second goal just wouldn't come. Murphy - central to almost all of Ireland's best attacks - stung Mersnik's palms in the 75th minute with a fierce effort. Louise Quinn came off the bench with ten minutes to go to make one last appearance before retirement. Her introduction drew a huge roar of appreciation from the 9,433 fans in attendance; yet Ireland still failed to hammer down the door. Things got heated in the closing stages, Patten and Kaja Erzen getting involved in a shoving match that briefly escalated. Ultimately, Slovenia got over the line. Ireland will take on the USA in two friendlies lter this month before knuckling down for those autumn games. Promotion to the top tier is not gone yet. Republic of Ireland: Courtney Brosnan; Anna Patten, Caitlin Hayes, Jessie Stapleton (Megan Campbell 62); Abbie Larkin (Louise Quinn 80), Denise O'Sullivan, Megan Connolly, Emily Murphy, Katie McCabe (capt); Kyra Carusa (Marissa Sheva 80), Saoirse Noonan (Amber Barrett 62) Attendance: 9,433
