Latest news with #KatieMcCabe
RTÉ News
12 hours ago
- Sport
- RTÉ News
McCabe: Only 'massive' improvement will suffice against Slovenia
Republic of Ireland captain Katie McCabe says only a "massive improvement" next Tuesday against Slovenia will offer the Girls in Green any chance of promotion to League A of the Nations League. Carla Ward's side fell behind four minutes after the interval at Esenler Stadium in Istanbul, but Turkey's hopes of upsetting a side 35 places above them in the world rankings were scuppered by an own goal and Emily Murphy's last-minute winner. It was yet again another below-par display overall by Ward's charges, but the result at least keeps promotion hopes alive. Just about. Ireland must beat Slovenia - a side they lost 4-0 to earlier in the campaign - 5-0 at Páirc Uí Chaoimh on Tuesday to win the group and gain promotion to League A. Failure to achieve that result and they'll head for a promotion/relegation play-off against one the League A third-placed teams in the autumn. Reflecting on the scrappy win, McCabe says while the result was key, only an upturn in general play will suffice on Leeside. "We got the result and that's what matters in the end but from a performance point of view we have to be miles better going into Tuesday," she told RTÉ Sport. 🇹🇷 1-2 🇮🇪 Ireland captain Katie McCabe: "We got the result and that's what matters in the end but from a performance point of view we have to be miles better going into Tuesday" #UWNL — RTÉ Sport (@RTEsport) May 30, 2025 "We didn't move the ball quick enough, we didn't move Turkey quick enough. We allowed them into the game with some sloppy mistakes. "It gave them that sniff to go forward. We need a massive improvement if we are going to beat Slovenia on Tuesday. "It's a tough ask. They have played brilliant for the whole Nations League campaign. I've got belief in us We can score goals from different phases of play. "We can't rush it. We have to be patient. We need to be at our absolute best." The skipper cited a change in tactics under Ward, as players get used to her style, as a possible explanation for Ireland's sluggish starts in games, but was particularly aggrieved by the manner in which they conceded the opening goal of the game, Kader Hancar finishing past Courtney Brosnan. "This is our fifth game under Carla, it's not going to be perfect," she said. "From a standards point of view, we have to implement that (gameplan) a little quicker and come out of the traps faster. "If we want to be pushing for (League) A in the Nations League, we can't be conceding goals like that, we gave them too much space. We need to take more care with the ball." After playing her part in Arsenal's Champions League-winning exploits against Barcelona last week, there were suspicions that Ward might start the Tallaght woman on the bench. McCabe however was included from the off, putting in a player of the match display and said she never had any fears that mental or physical exertions from the club celebrations would impact her international duties. "I feel really good," she said. "It was a massive result for the club last week and we were ecstatic with becoming champions. I enjoyed the full celebrations, but it was full focus on these two games. "I said to Carla when I came in I was ready to play and give it all for the team."
The 42
19 hours ago
- Sport
- The 42
Ireland 'need to be miles better' as Ward and McCabe target Slovenia shootout in Cork
HEAD COACH CARLA Ward and captain Katie McCabe say Ireland need to be 'miles better' than tonight's last-gasp rescue win in Türkiye. Emily Murphy bagged the winner in the 89th minute, sparing Irish blushes after another disappointing performance against lower-ranked opposition. But the 2-1 comeback victory kept them in the race for Nations League promotion: Slovenia remain top of Group B2 ahead of a Páirc Uí Chaoimh shootout next Tuesday, where Ireland must win by more than four goals to usurp them and return to League B. The runners-up get another shot in the play-offs in October. 'Listen, that's character. That's an Irish mentality,' Ward told RTÉ's Tony O'Donoghue after tonight's game. 'It was never rolling over, even when we went 1-0 down. We're disappointed with the goal. The reaction after that, the togetherness, the attitude to go and win tackles, close gaps, making sure that we were front-footed, was something that we can be proud of. I actually think winning it like that, at the death, puts us in a good position for Tuesday.' 🇹🇷 1-2 🇮🇪 Carla Ward praised the "character" and "Irish mentality" of her team after they came from behind to win in Turkey but admitted Ireland will need to be a lot better against group leaders Slovenia#UWNL #COYGIG — RTÉ Sport (@RTEsport) May 30, 2025 Advertisement The former Aston Villa boss said there will be 'honest conversations about how we start bright' as she outlined some improvements required. 'We need to be better. We need to be way better come Tuesday, but most important thing is we got the three points tonight. 'We have to win 5-0 [against Slovenia], right? It's not easy against any team now because women's football is improving in every country. It's going to be tough, but we'll go out there with an attitude, a mindset and belief that anything is possible. The Irish love that, I love that, it's why I took the job.' 'You saw us finish with a lot of attacking players on the pitch, you might see that's the way we start. We certainly will give it absolutely everything,' she added, calling for 'every bit of Irish noise and blood' in Cork. McCabe, meanwhile, echoed her manager's sentiments as she finished a whirlwind week, in which she won the Champions League with Arsenal, with the Player of the Match award in Istanbul. 'We got the result and that's what matters in the end, but from a performance point of view, we have to be miles better going into Tuesday,' the skipper said. 'We didn't move the ball quick enough, we didn't move Türkiye quick enough, and allowed them to get in the game with some sloppy mistakes. We need a massive improvement if we're going to beat Slovenia on Tuesday.' 🇹🇷 1-2 🇮🇪 Ireland captain Katie McCabe: "We got the result and that's what matters in the end but from a performance point of view we have to be miles better going into Tuesday"#UWNL — RTÉ Sport (@RTEsport) May 30, 2025 McCabe shared her disappointment with the 'cheap' concession early in the second half, and paid tribute to the impact substitutes, including match-winner Murphy, as Ireland laboured to four wins from five under Ward. 'We're trying to do a lot of different things in terms of how we approach games more on the front foot. That takes time. This is our fifth game under Carla and the new management, it's not going to be perfect, but for us from a standards point of view, we have to look to come out of the tracks a little bit sharper.' Putting four goals past Slovenia will be a 'tough ask,' McCabe conceded, but she believes Ireland can do it 'if we're at our absolute best'. The Dubliner also reflected on her European club success, and insists she feels 'really good' after a physically and emotionally draining few days — and season overall. 'It was a massive result for us and the club last week in Lisbon, we were absolutely ecstatic becoming champions. 'Yeah, you enjoy the celebrations, but it was full focus on these two games. I said to Carla when I came in, 'I'm ready to play and give it all for the team.' I feel good going into Tuesday now, another big performance, rest and recover.'
BreakingNews.ie
a day ago
- General
- BreakingNews.ie
Emily Murphy nets last-gasp winner as Ireland fight back to beat Turkey
Substitute Emily Murphy's first senior international goal handed Ireland a 2-1 comeback victory in Turkey to secure second spot in Nations League Group B2. Murphy's 89th-minute winner, which came after Busem Seker's own goal had cancelled out Kader Hancar's opener at the Esenler Stadium sent Ireland into Tuesday night's home clash with group leaders Slovenia just three points adrift. Advertisement After a bright start by Ireland, it was the hosts who mustered the first attempt on goal with 11 minutes gone when central defender Sejde Abrahamsson surged upfield and tested keeper Courtney Brosnan from a tight angle. Lucy Quinn forced a first save of the game from Selda Akgoz with a dipping long-range effort, but the game burst into life as the half-time whistle approached, Brosnan saving from Miray Cin before Akgoz had to be at her best to keep out Katie McCabe's curled attempt with Arsenal's Champions League winner seeing her half-volley from the resulting corner blocked on the line. However, it was Turkey who took the lead three minutes after the restart when Hancar turned the ball into Ilayda Civelek's run and then surged into the box to convert her cross. The visitors were level with 10 minutes remaining when Seker headed a Megan Campbell long throw into her own goal, and they won it at the death, Murphy pouncing on Abrahamsson's slip to snatch the points.
The Irish Sun
a day ago
- Sport
- The Irish Sun
Katie McCabe warns Ireland must be ‘miles better' in crunch clash against Slovenia as Carla Ward calls for ‘Irish noise'
KATIE McCABE warned Ireland will have to be 'miles better' if they are to beat Slovenia after their late win over Turkey. But manager Carla Ward believes her mentality monsters showed they are up for the fight that awaits them at Pairc Ui Chaoimh. Advertisement 2 Katie McCabe admitted Ireland need to be miles better against Slovenia Credit: Stephen McCarthy/Sportsfile 2 Carla Ward believes Ireland showed the grit needed for the clash against Slovenia Credit: Stephen McCarthy/Sportsfile The Girls in Green secured second place in League B of the Emily Murphy's late goal sealed a comeback win after The win sets up a winner-takes-all clash against next Tuesday, with Carla Ward's side needing to win 5-0 to top the group on the head-to-head. But captain Advertisement Read More on Ireland WNT She told RTE: 'We got the result and that is what matters in the end. 'For us, from a performance point of view, we have to be miles better going into Tuesday. 'I felt we didn't move the ball quick enough, we didn't move 'We are going to need a massive improvement if we are going to beat Slovenia on Tuesday.' Advertisement Most read in Football Ireland fell behind to Hancar's opener on 48 minutes after the hosts played through their high press and launched a counter-attack down the left. Needing a reaction, Carla Ward introduced Kyra Carusa, Emily Murphy, and Saoirse Noonan on the hour mark, while Megan Campbell came on with 15 minutes to play. 'You can't make this up' - Irish fans in stitches at Ruesha Littlejohn's playful prank upon Katie McCabe's camp arrival And the subs came good, with Campbell's trademark long throw-in forcing a Busem Seker own goal with ten minutes to go before Murphy slammed home the winner at the death. McCabe added: 'I think if we folded that early with all that much time to play for it, it wouldn't be us from a character point of view. Advertisement 'I really think a big kudos to the girls coming off the bench today. They changed it and I was very proud of them, especially Murph getting the winner. 'Murph has done really well since she has come back from America. She is over in 'It is not easy coming in straight off the back of the couple of camps so she has been getting her head down and working very hard and she took her chance today.' PLUCK OF THE IRISH Ireland lost 4-0 to Slovenia back in February, and will need a 5-0 win in Cork next Tuesday to top League B. Advertisement Winning the group will guarantee a play-off for the 2027 Pairc Ui Chaoimh was the And Carla Ward urged fans to turn out in numbers to cheer her side over the line. She said: 'We have to win 5-0 which is not easy against any team now because women's football; is improving in very country as you can see in every Nations League - A, B, and C. Advertisement 'It is going to be tough but one thing we will do is go out there with an attitude, mindset and belief that anything is possible. 'The Irish love that, I love that. It is why I took the job. 'I have heard an awful lot about Cork. I have heard an awful lot about the noise down there. We are going to need everyone. 'We are going to need every bit of Irish noise and blood because we are going to give everything. Advertisement 'We are going to need the fans to back us, we need the fans to be there loud. As a nation, if we come together, anything is possible.'
Irish Times
a day ago
- Business
- Irish Times
Emily Murphy bags late winner for Ireland to keep Nations League promotion hopes alive
Nations League B, Group 2: Turkey 1 (Hançar 49) Republic of Ireland 2 (Şeker OG 80, Murphy 89) Smash and grab. Emily Murphy rescued a 'sloppy' Republic of Ireland performance with a last-minute strike to salvage all three points from what looked, for 80 minutes, like a sobering defeat to Turkey in Istanbul. Slovenia's 2-0 win over of Greece means they are almost certain to top the Nations League Group B2 and secure promotion to the A tier ahead of the 2027 World Cup qualifiers. To overturn Slovenia's eight-goal advantage, Ireland need a 5-0 win over them at Páirc Uí Chaoimh on Tuesday. 'We got the result, but from a performance point of view we have to be miles better on Tuesday,' said Ireland captain Katie McCabe after the win. READ MORE 'We didn't move the ball quick enough. Sloppy mistakes. We gave them that sniff to go forward. 'Big kudos to the girls coming off the bench. We needed them, especially Emily. We need a massive improvement to beat Slovenia.' It could have been much worse. The contest was ambling towards half-time at the Esenler Stadium. The visitors were in control of possession without threatening to test the reflexes of Turkish goalkeeper Selda Akgöz until Lucy Quinn shuffled off the left and hit one from distance. Turns out Akgöz has the reflexes of a cat. Turkey's Kader Hançar and Sejde Abrahamsson with Ireland's Jessie Stapleton. Photograph: Ryan Byrne/Inpho Quinn's effort on target and Abbie Larkin's sharp display down the right aside, Ireland were doing their usual trick against lesser opposition; wear them down and the second-half goals tend to come. But Turkey had Ireland back-pedalling on break outs from their low block. Miray Cin even drew a save from Courtney Brosnan and the rebound fell to Ebru Topçu which forced a heroic block by Aoife Mannion. That brought McCabe to life. Six days after she helped Arsenal to a Champions League final victory over Barcelona, the skipper was easing herself into the contest, operating primarily at left-back, until Turkey almost scored. Seconds after Mannion's block, Denise O'Sullivan cut the ball back for McCabe to curl one from the edge of the Turkish area. Akgöz made another fine save. From the corner, Akgöz got a glove to Megan Connolly's inswinging ball before Busem Şeker cleared McCabe's shot off the goalline. For Turkey, every duel, every mini-success was visibly important to them. They sensed the opportunity. Ireland's Amber Barrett shoots at goal. Photograph: Ryan Byrne/Inpho Still, Ireland were so obviously a superior team. Quick thinking by O'Sullivan and the impressive Larkin gave Amber Barrett an angled look at goal. Again, Akgöz slammed the door shut. Not much to worry about, Ireland had scored four of their last five goals after the break. There was enough evidence from Connolly and McCabe set pieces, mainly aimed at Jessie Stapleton's head, that they would eventually take a brilliant performance by the Turkish goalkeeper out of the equation. Instead, the hosts led four minutes into the second half. Kader Hançar dropped to the halfway line to send Topçu sprinting away from Anna Patten with a clever flick. Hançar tracked Topçu's run, ghosting into the box and creating enough separation from Stapleton to control the cross and finish under Brosnan. 'Too cheap, especially at this level,' McCabe admitted afterwards. 'If we want to be pushing for Group A of the Nations League we can't be giving teams that much space.' On the hour mark, Ireland manager Carla Ward made a triple substitution with Sheva, Larkin and Barrett replaced by three forwards in Kyra Carusa, Saoirse Noonan and Murphy. This looked like a pre-planned tactic. The plan being that Ireland would be chasing Slovenia's +11 goal difference, not trying to avoid defeat to a country ranked 58th in the world. Ireland are 26th. With 15 minutes to play, Ward reverted to the traditional Plan B – Megan Campbell's long throwing arms. The slingshot delivered, again. Ireland's Emily Murphy celebrates scoring the winner against Turkey. Photograph: Ryan Byrne/Inpho Şeker was not celebrating in the 80th minute when she nodded a Campbell catapult backwards and over a despairing Akgöz for the Ireland equaliser. Victory came from McCabe's dangerous ball into the Turkish area forcing an error as the ball broke to the unmarked Murphy who took her first international goal in style. Topçu almost grabbed a late equaliser but her shot eased wide of Brosnan's far post. 'We'll go out on Tuesday with a mindset that anything is possible,' said Ward. 'The Irish love that. I love that. As a nation, if we come together, anything is possible.' TURKEY: Akgöz; Seker, Hiz, Abrahamsson, Civelek; Topcu, Cal; Pekel (Karabulut 68 mins), Turkoglu (Karatas 83), Cin (Keskin 68); Hançar (Ozturk 75). REP OF IRELAND: Brosnan; Mannion (Hayes 46 mins), Stapleton, Patten, McCabe; Connolly; Larkin (Carusa 60), O'Sullivan, Sheva (Noonan 60), Quinn (Campbell 74); Barrett (Murphy 60). Referee: Kristina Georgieva (Bulgaria).
