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The 42
02-07-2025
- Sport
- The 42
Regret, enjoyment, hope: The inner conflict of watching a tournament without Ireland
IT'S THAT TIME again where we are faced with the inner conflict of watching a major football tournament in which Ireland are not involved. The 2025 Uefa Women's European Championships get underway in Switzerland this evening, and we are observing from afar again. The expectation was Ireland would be there. After qualification for a first major tournament in the 2023 World Cup, Katie McCabe and co were fancied to back it up with a maiden Euros appearance. But the dream died last December, Wales winning a two-legged playoff and qualifying for their first finals. The sense of missed opportunity was huge then, but heightens more so as the opener in Bern arrives. Regret. Pain. Envy. Yet, there's excitement and anticipation. Wrestling with these conflicting feelings is a dynamic Irish football fans have become accustomed to. Qualification for tournaments has not been a regular occurrence recently. In the last 25 years, we have had the 2002 World Cup, Euro 2012 and 2016, and the women's historic debut in 2023. More often, we have watched from a distance. Lived vicariously through others. Told ourselves Ireland would be there next time. Advertisement Well, here we go again. The hope was Australia 2023 would be a springboard, that the Ireland women's team featuring at tournaments would become the norm. That may still transpire, of course, but it's impossible to shake this sense of a blown chance. Ifs, buts and maybes. What could have been. What should have been . . . The same feelings lingered after failure to qualify for Euro 2022; defeat to Ukraine in Kiev proving costly for Ireland, and Northern Ireland later prevailed from the playoff. That tournament in England was still enjoyed, record numbers tuning in as RTÉ showed every game and many fans crossing the Irish sea to take in games. The 42 didn't make the trip, but fondly remembers watching the thrilling England versus Spain quarter-final on a phone in a pub in Galway when the television was broken. Similar experiences will undoubtedly follow this time around as the action unfolds in Switzerland. A brilliant tournament lies in wait without us. While squads were named and final preparations ramped up in recent weeks — Wales manager Rhian Wilkinson spoke about conquering their Everest as she unveiled her selection at the top of the country's highest mountain, Snowden or Yr Wyddfa — Ireland faced a very different prospect. Carla Ward's side were hammered by the US in two low-key friendlies, without McCabe and several others, and now resume their off season and continue to holiday before returning to their clubs. The Nations League playoff against Belgium — also Euros bound — in October is their main international focus after an off-Broadway 2025. As a mixed group campaign wound down last month, Katie McCabe and Denise O'Sullivan spoke about the lingering disappointment. 'It's going to be difficult with the Euros on this July,' said McCabe. 'I'll probably turn my telly off. I won't be watching it. It's going to hurt. But we have to feel that. Keep striving to get better. And obviously the 2027 World Cup is a big driving force for us.' Denise O'Sullivan and Katie McCabe after last year's Euro 2025 playoff defeat. Nick Elliott / INPHO Nick Elliott / INPHO / INPHO O'Sullivan echoed those sentiments, wrestling with her own conflicting feelings in the same breath, as she brought it up unprompted in Páirc Uí Chaoimh. 'That defeat against Wales from last year can stand to us going into the playoff. We've learnt a lot, it still hurts a lot because the pain hasn't gone from that game. 'I think I'll be switching the TV off, doing everything I can not to watch it, but I have teammates from Courage playing in it. 'I know I'm saying I'll be switching the TV off but I'll watch to cheer them on. It's still devastating not to be there, for sure.' O'Sullivan and McCabe are 31 and 29, almost 30. Ireland's leading lights are in their prime, with quite a few others in the squad in that age bracket. O'Sullivan will be 33 when the 2027 World Cup rolls around in Brazil, 35 for Euro 2029. McCabe will be 31, almost 32; then 33, soon 34. Related Reads Holders England, favourites Spain and 5 key questions ahead of Euro 2025 The window will close for this generation. Time waits for no one: football careers are fleeting, and opportunities to qualify for major tournaments are few. This, of course, is known, but it will hit home again and again over the coming weeks. Regrets will deepen as Wales make their bow in the Group of Death; as England seek to defend their title and world champions Spain set out as favourites. Envy will intensify as young players light up the tournament, teams etch their names into history, and fans traverse Switzerland with Euros fever in full flow. Motivation will heighten too: for future playoff rivals Belgium, for the next World Cup tilt, for the future. But watching on, enjoyment will inevitably trump all else as the moment takes hold. Here we go again. Just like Denise O'Sullivan, not watching but absolutely watching — let's be honest.
Irish Times
29-06-2025
- Sport
- Irish Times
Ireland fall to second four-goal defeat to United States in three days
International friendly: USA 4 (Biyendolo 11, Rodriguez 42, Ryan 66, Thompson 86) Ireland 0 Republic of Ireland fell to their second 4-0 defeat in three days against an imperious looking USA side in an energy-sapping clash at TQL Stadium on Sunday evening. Having been humbled by the same scoreline in the unassailable altitude in Denver, Colorado on Friday against the reigning Olympic Champions and world number one-ranked side, Carla Ward's charges were faced with another extreme, this time in what was described as the borderline dangerous heat of Cincinnati. The out of season Irish group, still missing the experience and quality of Denise O'Sullivan (knee) and Megan Campbell (ankle) yet again, not forgetting the likes of Champions League winner Katie McCabe amongst others who didn't travel. The Ireland boss called up former Peamount United midfielder Erin McLaughlin and Philadelphia-born Dee Bradley, as well as making four changes to her side. READ MORE With just one goal against their illustrious hosts in their last 16 meetings, clear cut chances were always going to prove an arduous task in 30+ degree heat but the visitors started with intent. The tenacious Abbie Larkin buzzed about winning the ball back before striker Saoirse Noonan bravely won a free kick in a dangerous position. The serial winner with her former side Chelsea, Emma Hayes continued with her experiment of blooding youngsters into one of the most pressurised International environments in women's football and was afforded the luxury of changing all 11 from the game 72 hours previous. And it didn't take long for the hosts' strength in depth to come to fruition as they took the lead just 10 minutes in. Following some high quality build-up play down the right hand side, the ball eventually worked its way to Emma Sears who cleverly clipped the ball back to Lynn Biyendolo who made no mistake sweeping home the opener. Chloe Mustaki, who made her first start for the Girls in Green since 2022 in Friday's defeat and admitted in an emotional interview post game she thought she would not play again was making up for lost time as she was included from the start but the Bristol City star was being given a tough time by the Racing Louisville winger Sears, who was delivering dangerously at every given opportunity. The hosts had the ball in the net minutes before the first half water break but saw the goal ruled out with Yazmeen Ryan bundling into the back of Jessie Stapleton. Having taken on as much fluids and digested as many energy gels as possible during the brief rest period, wave after wave of white continued to flow forward. Just after the half-hour mark, the US almost doubled their lead in a carbon copy to the first when Sears got to the endline and stood up another pin point cross but this time Ryan couldn't guide her volley goalwards. Having weathered the storm, Ireland to their credit began to grow in confidence and forced a good bout of pressure, springing from their defensive shape to force a well-earned corner through the tireless Emily Murphy, who saw her back post header deflected behind. Moments later Murphy was at it again, winning back possession well and releasing Saoirse Noonan. The Celtic attacker played a clever ball in behind the US backline finding Kyra Carusa who narrowly missed the near post as her low strike flew into the side netting. But just before the break the slight Irish resurgence was brought to an abrupt halt as debutant Izzy Rodriguez smashed home a rebound, just after the unfortunate skipper Courtney Brosnan pulled off an outstanding point blank save. In search of what would have been just their second goal against their illustrious hosts in their last 16 meetings, Ward made a triple change at the break and slight tactical shift changing to a three at the back. The change of personnel and shape did frustrate the home side, getting bodies in the areas that allowed USA so much joy in the first half. But tiredness just seemed to be seeping in and just after the half hour mark Ryan added a third with a tidy finish for her first international goal. There was still time for Thompson to add a late fourth to put the icing on the cake of their 600th win in their illustrious history. USA: Mandy McGlynn: Emily Sams, Jordyn Bugg, Tara McKeown: Lynn Biyendolo (Sam Coffey, 63), Croix Bethune (Ally Sentnor, 63), Sam Meza (Rose Lavelle, 87), Izzy Rodriguez; Olivia Moultrie (Claire Hutton, 80), Emma Sears, Yazmeen Ryan (Alyssa Thomspon, 80'=) Subs not used: Naomi Girma, Avery Patterson, Michelle Cooper, Emily Sonnett, Claudia Dickey, Lilly Realle, Angelina Anderson Rep. of Ireland: Courtney Brosnan; Jessie Stapleton, Anna Patten (Ruesha Littlejohn, 73), Caitlin Hayes, Chloe Mustaki (Megan Connolly, 46); Marissa Sheva, Tyler Toland (Izzy Atkinson, 84); Emily Murphy (Hayley Nolan, 46'), Kyra Carusa, Abbie Larkin (Lucy Quinn, 46); Saoirse Noonan (Amber Barrett, 60) Subs not used: Grace Maloney, Sophie Whitehouse, Dee Bradley, Erin McLaughlin, Ellen Molloy, Erin Healy Referee: Janeishka Caban (Puerto Rico)
Yahoo
27-06-2025
- Sport
- Yahoo
Republic of Ireland well beaten by USA in friendly
A depleted Republic of Ireland proved no match for the United States as they succumbed to the hosts in Friday's friendly in the high altitude of Denver. Shorn of a host of regulars including rested captain Katie McCabe, and the injured Megan Campbell and Denise O'Sullivan, it was always going to be a tough task against the world's number one team and so it proved. Advertisement Avery Patterson, Sam Coffey, Rose Lavelle and Alyssa Thompson were all on target for Emma Hayes' hosts. Despite the USA resting all of their European-based stars aside from Chelsea's Naomi Girma, they were quick to assert themselves. They threatened from the off with Thompson denied by Courtney Brosnan from point-blank range, before the Republic of Ireland goalkeeper - captaining the team on her 50th cap - turned a low Claire Hutton effort around the post. However, the opener was coming and in the 18th minute, Lavelle picked up possession from a short corner and swung a teasing ball into the box for Patterson to nod home. Advertisement Despite some stout Irish defending, the USA doubled their lead when Coffey cut through the defence and produced a composed finish. There was no reprieve in the second period as the USA continued to press for goals and they were rewarded just seven minutes in when Lavelle finished off a crisp move. Number four came in the 63rd minute as Thompson managed to get past Jessie Stapleton and head for goal before curling home a fine shot to wrap up a comfortable win. While the woodwork denied Olivia Moultrie late on, the USA laid down a marker before they play again in Cincinnati on Sunday (20:00 BST).
Yahoo
27-06-2025
- Sport
- Yahoo
Republic of Ireland well beaten by USA in friendly
A depleted Republic of Ireland proved no match for the United States as they succumbed to the hosts in Friday's friendly in the high altitude of Denver. Shorn of a host of regulars including rested captain Katie McCabe, and the injured Megan Campbell and Denise O'Sullivan, it was always going to be a tough task against the world's number one team and so it proved. Advertisement Avery Patterson, Sam Coffey, Rose Lavelle and Alyssa Thompson were all on target for Emma Hayes' hosts. Despite the USA resting all of their European-based stars aside from Chelsea's Naomi Girma, they were quick to assert themselves. They threatened from the off with Thompson denied by Courtney Brosnan from point-blank range, before the Republic of Ireland goalkeeper - captaining the team on her 50th cap - turned a low Claire Hutton effort around the post. However, the opener was coming and in the 18th minute, Lavelle picked up possession from a short corner and swung a teasing ball into the box for Patterson to nod home. Advertisement Despite some stout Irish defending, the USA doubled their lead when Coffey cut through the defence and produced a composed finish. There was no reprieve in the second period as the USA continued to press for goals and they were rewarded just seven minutes in when Lavelle finished off a crisp move. Number four came in the 63rd minute as Thompson managed to get past Jessie Stapleton and head for goal before curling home a fine shot to wrap up a comfortable win. While the woodwork denied Olivia Moultrie late on, the USA laid down a marker before they play again in Cincinnati on Sunday (20:00 BST).
The Irish Sun
26-06-2025
- Sport
- The Irish Sun
Ireland announced to play in new stadium for the first time in huge World Cup qualifier clash
THE venue has been announced for Ireland's World Cup qualifier clash with Portugal which has been scheduled for Saturday 11 October at 7:45pm. The match is set to be played in the Estádio José Alvalade in Lisbon which is the home stadium of Sporting Clube de Portugal. 2 A big campaign ahead for Ireland with World Cup in sights 2 Katie McCabe flying the tricolour in the Estádio José Alvalade in May There has already been Irish success there this year with women's captain Katie McCabe having won Ireland have never played in Portugal's second biggest stadium before in any of their seven meetings with the side away from home. The last two fixtures were placed in Both stadiums only holding just over 30,000 seats, with the 2021 meeting having an attendance of just over 7,000 fans due to COVID restrictions. Read more on Irish Football It has been 25 years since the Irish senior men's team played in the Portuguese capital in a 1-1 draw in Benfica's Estádio da Luz. Matt Holland scored the equalising goal to win Ireland's only ever qualification point in Portugal. Ireland have had a bit more luck against the Seleção on Irish soil, beating them twice in Lansdowne Road and once in Dalymount Park. One of which was a 1-0 win in a European Championships qualifier under Jack Charlton in 1995. Most read in Football Both sides will be hoping to qualify for the 2026 World Cup but first they have the September fixtures to worry about. Hallgrimsson's team will have to face Hungary and Armenia before travelling to Portugal. The Irish boss is He said: 'Four points would be good, six would be better. Saipan film trailer splits opinion as Irish football fans voice concern about Roy Keane portrayal 'If we get a draw against Hungary and win in Armenia. Probably it would be worse if it was the opposite. Four points would be OK, a good start. Six is what we aim for.' Ireland and Portugal were grouped together for the qualifiers of the last World Cup in 2022 along with Serbia, Luxembourg and Azerbaijan. The sides faced off in their first qualifier in the Algarve with an inspired Ireland performance seeing them 1-0 up after 89 minutes. An early Gavin Bazunu penalty save against Cristiano Ronaldo and a John Egan headed goal just before half-time wouldn't be enough for Stephen Kenny's men. Ronaldo scored a last gasp brace to sink Ireland and break Ali Daei's world record for most goals in men's international football. The second meeting would come in a sold-out Aviva Stadium despite Ireland's qualification chances being dead and buried after losses to Serbia and Luxembourg and a disappointing draw with Azerbaijan. Neither team could get much of a foothold in the game with a physical Irish defensive performance managing to keep Ronaldo quiet as he was booed with every touch of the football. An 81st minute Pepe red card was the only noteworthy moment of the fixture as Portugal left their World Cup fate drag on to the last day against Serbia. The most recent meeting between the teams will be remembered less favourably by Irish fans as they lost 3-0 in a Euros warm-up friendly. João Félix opened the scoring before Ronaldo netted another brace against Ireland to win 3-0 ahead of Portugal's Euros campaign.
