Republic of Ireland women's national football team
Nickname(s) | The Girls in Green (Irish: Na cailíní i nglas) | ||
---|---|---|---|
Association | Women's Football Association of Ireland | ||
Confederation | UEFA (Europe) | ||
Head coach | Vacant | ||
Captain | Katie McCabe | ||
Most caps | Emma Byrne (134) | ||
Top scorer | Olivia O'Toole (54) | ||
Home stadium | Tallaght Stadium | ||
FIFA code | IRL | ||
| |||
FIFA ranking | |||
Current | 24 1 (16 August 2024)[1] | ||
Highest | 22 (March – June 2023) | ||
Lowest | 38 (July – August 2003) | ||
First international | |||
Wales 2–3 Republic of Ireland (Llanelli, Wales; 13 May 1973) | |||
Biggest win | |||
Republic of Ireland 11–0 Georgia (Tallaght, Dublin, Ireland; 30 November 2021) | |||
Biggest defeat | |||
Sweden 10–0 Republic of Ireland (Borås, Sweden; 20 September 1992) | |||
World Cup | |||
Appearances | 1 (first in 2023) | ||
Best result | Group stage (2023) | ||
Website | Official website |
The Republic of Ireland women's national football team (Irish: Foireann sacair ban Phoblacht na hÉireann) represents the Republic of Ireland in competitions such as the FIFA Women's World Cup and the UEFA Women's Championship. The team played in their first World Cup at the 2023 FIFA Women's World Cup.[2] It has taken part in invitational tournaments such as the Algarve Cup, the Istria Cup, the Cyprus Cup and Pinatar Cup.[3] It is organised by the Women's Football Association of Ireland.
History
[edit]In 1973, the Women's Football Association of Ireland was established[4] and in the same year on 13 May the Republic of Ireland made their official international debut, Paula Gorham's hat-trick securing a 3–2 win in an away friendly game against Wales.[5] They made their competitive debut on 19 September 1982 in a 1984 European Competition for Women's Football qualifier against Scotland. This time the Republic of Ireland lost 3–0. On 2 October 1982 the Republic of Ireland gained their first competitive win when they defeated Northern Ireland 2–1 in an away game in the same competition. After losing 10–0 to Sweden in a Euro 1993 qualifier, the FAI did not enter a team in the 1995 competition.[6] This defeat against Sweden remains the team's biggest defeat.
During the 2000s the Republic of Ireland enjoyed some minor successes. In 2000 they won the Celt Cup – a four team tournament that also featured Northern Ireland, Scotland and the Isle of Man.[7] In their 2005 UEFA Women's Euro campaign they also won their second level group, finishing above Romania, Croatia, Bosnia and Herzegovina and Malta. This would have secured promotion to the elite group of nations which competed directly for qualification to major tournaments, had the two level system not been scrapped for the next qualifying campaign. The Republic of Ireland also won their group at the 2013 Cyprus Cup, finishing above South Korea, South Africa and Northern Ireland.
The Republic of Ireland has also enjoyed some success at both under-17 and under-19 levels. In 2010, with a team that included Megan Campbell, Ciara Grant, Dora Gorman, Denise O'Sullivan, Siobhán Killeen and Clare Shine, the Republic of Ireland U-17 squad were runners-up in the 2010 UEFA Women's Under-17 Championship and quarter-finalists in the 2010 FIFA U-17 Women's World Cup.[8] In the UEFA championship semi-final the Republic of Ireland defeated Germany 1–0.[9] With a team that included Megan Connolly, Savannah McCarthy and Katie McCabe the Republic of Ireland team won their group at the 2014 UEFA Women's Under-19 Championship and qualified for the semi-finals.[10]
In April 2017, the squad demanded better treatment from the FAI and threatened to boycott a home match against Slovakia.[11] They wanted a higher match fee, and broken time payment for amateurs missing work.[11] They claimed that they had to share with underage teams the tracksuits they wore travelling to and from away matches, and change out of them in airport toilets.[11] The boycott threat was lifted when agreement on improvements was reached.[12]
In November 2021 the team recorded their biggest ever win: 11–0 against Georgia in the qualifiers for 2023 World Cup.[13] The team secured a crucial victory in their World Cup qualifying campaign, defeating Finland 1-0 in a Group A match.[14] The decisive goal was scored in the second half by substitute Lily Agg, allowing the Irish team to claim second place in the group with one game remaining.[15] This achievement was soon surpassed when Ireland won the play-off final 1–0 over Scotland in Glasgow on 11 October 2022 to qualify for the final tournament.[16] A crucial first-half penalty save from Courtney Brosnan kept Ireland alive before Donegal native Amber Barrett scored the decisive goal, days after news of an explosion that killed several people in her county. She dedicated the goal to the victims and the community.[17] While celebrating in the Hampden changing rooms, several players sang Celtic Symphony praising the Irish Republican Army, for which manager Vera Pauw and players Áine O'Gorman and Chloe Mustaki apologised; the chanting was condemned by politicians from Northern Ireland.[18][19] The FAI was fined €20,000 for the chanting.[20]
They played their first ever Women's World Cup game on 20 July 2023, losing 1-0 to Australia, one of the co-host nations of the competition, following a penalty.[21] Ireland was then beaten by Canada, the reigning Olympic champion.[22]
Home stadium
[edit]Throughout their history, the Republic of Ireland have played their home games at various grounds. The most regularly used have included Dalymount Park, Tolka Park, Richmond Park and Turners Cross. They have also played occasional games at Glenmalure Park, Belfield Park, Carlisle Grounds, Ferrycarrig Park, Flancare Park and at Lamberton, Arklow.[23] While, they played the majority of their home games at Tallaght Stadium since 2013,[citation needed] the national team played their first home game at the Aviva Stadium in September 2023.[24]
Results and fixtures
[edit]The following is a list of match results in the last 12 months, as well as any future matches that have been scheduled.
- Legend
Win Draw Lose Fixture
2024
[edit]23 February Friendly | Italy | 0–0 | Republic of Ireland | Florence, Italy |
17:15 GMT | Report | Stadium: Viola Park Referee: Emanuela Rusta (Albania) |
27 February Friendly | Republic of Ireland | 0–2 | Wales | Dublin, Ireland |
19:30 GMT | Report | Stadium: Tallaght Stadium Attendance: 8,218 |
5 April Euro 2025 qualifying | France | 1–0 | Republic of Ireland | Metz, France |
21:10 CEDT |
|
Report | Stadium: Stade Saint-Symphorien Referee: Maria Sole Ferrieri Caputi (Italy) |
9 April Euro 2025 qualifying | Republic of Ireland | 0–2 | England | Dublin, Ireland |
19:30 IST | Report | Stadium: Aviva Stadium Attendance: 32,742 Referee: Lina Lehtovaara (Finland) |
31 May Euro 2025 qualifying | Republic of Ireland | 0–3 | Sweden | Dublin, Ireland |
19:30 IST | Report |
|
Stadium: Aviva Stadium Attendance: 22,868 Referee: Katalin Kulcsár (Hungary) |
4 June Euro 2025 qualifying | Sweden | 1–0 | Republic of Ireland | Solna, Sweden |
18:30 CEDT |
|
Report | Stadium: Friends Arena Attendance: 21,216 Referee: Alina Peşu (Romania) |
12 July Euro 2025 qualifying | England | 2–1 | Republic of Ireland | Norwich, England |
20:00 BST | Report |
|
Stadium: Carrow Road Attendance: 23,003 Referee: Catarina Campos (Portugal) |
16 July Euro 2025 qualifying | Republic of Ireland | 3–1 | France | Cork, Ireland |
18:00 IST |
|
Report |
|
Stadium: Páirc Uí Chaoimh Attendance: 18,399 Referee: Olatz Rivera Olmedo (Spain) |
25 October Euro 2025 play-offs | Georgia | 0–6 | Republic of Ireland | Tbilisi, Georgia |
20:00 GET | Report | Stadium: M. Meskhi II Stadium Attendance: 1,440 Referee: Emanuela Rusta (Albania) |
29 October Euro 2025 play-offs | Republic of Ireland | 3–0 (9–0 agg.) | Georgia | Dublin, Ireland |
19:30 GMT | Report | Stadium: Tallaght Stadium Attendance: 8,745 Referee: Katalin Kulcsár (Hungary) |
29 November Euro 2025 play-offs | Wales | 1–1 | Republic of Ireland | Cardiff, Wales |
19:15 GMT |
|
Report | Stadium: Cardiff City Stadium Attendance: 16,485 Referee: Maria Sole Ferrieri Caputi (Italy) |
3 December Euro 2025 play-offs | Republic of Ireland | 1–2 (2–3 agg.) | Wales | Dublin, Ireland |
19:30 GMT |
|
Report | Stadium: Aviva Stadium Attendance: 25,832 Referee: Marta Huerta De Aza (Spain) |
2025
[edit]21 February 2025 UEFA Nations League | Republic of Ireland | v | Turkey | Ireland |
25 February 2025 UEFA Nations League | Slovenia | v | Republic of Ireland | Slovenia |
Coaching staff
[edit]Current coaching staff
[edit]The senior women's management team includes:[25]
Role | Name |
---|---|
Head coach | Vacant |
Assistant coach | Colin Healy |
Assistant coach | Emma Byrne |
Assistant coach | Rhys Carr |
Performance coach | Ivi Casagrande |
Manager history
[edit]- Tony Kelly (1981–1983)[26]
- Eamonn Darcy (1984–1986)
- Fran Rooney (1986–1991)
- Linda Gorman (1991–1992)
- Mick Cooke (1992–2000)[27]
- Noel King (2000–2010)[28]
- Susan Ronan (2010–2016)[29][30]
- Colin Bell (2017–2019)[31]
- Vera Pauw (2019–2023)[32]
- Eileen Gleeson (2023–2024)[33][34]
Players
[edit]Current squad
[edit]The following players were named to the squad for the UEFA Women's Euro 2025 qualifying play-offs matches against Wales on 29 November and 3 December 2024.[35]
Caps and goals updated as of 1 December 2024 after the match against Wales.
Recent call-ups
[edit]The following players have also been called up to the Republic of Ireland squad within the 12 months previous to December 2024.
Pos. | Player | Date of birth (age) | Caps | Goals | Club | Latest call-up |
---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
GK | Katie Keane | 27 July 2006 | 0 | 0 | Athlone Town | v. Georgia, 25 October 2024 |
DF | Louise Quinn | 17 June 1990 | 121 | 16 | Birmingham City | v. Georgia, 25 October 2024 INJ |
MF | Eva Magnan | 15 September 2004 | 0 | 0 | Cork City | v. Georgia, 29 October 2024 |
MF | Ellen Molloy | 5 June 2004 | 6 | 0 | Sheffield United | v. Georgia, 29 October 2024 |
MF | Jessica Ziu | 6 June 2002 | 18 | 0 | West Ham United | v. France, 16 July 2024 INJ |
MF | Lucy Quinn | 29 September 1993 | 24 | 5 | Birmingham City | v. Sweden, 4 June 2024 |
MF | Erin McLaughlin | 8 March 2003 | 3 | 0 | Portsmouth | v. Sweden, 4 June 2024 |
MF | Jessica Fitzgerald | 12 July 2006 | 0 | 0 | Peamount United | v. Wales, 27 February 2024 |
MF | Jamie Finn | 21 April 1998 | 20 | 0 | Birmingham City | v. Italy, 23 February 2024 INJ |
FW | Emily Murphy | 2 March 2003 | 5 | 0 | Wake Forest University | v. France, 16 July 2024 |
FW | Emily Whelan | 22 August 2002 | 9 | 0 | Glasgow City | v. England, 9 April 2024 |
Notes:
- INJ – Withdrew due to injury.
- PRE – Preliminary squad / standby.
- RET – Retired.
Records
[edit]- Statistics correct as of 1 December 2024.
- Active players in bold.
Most caps[edit]
|
Most goals[edit]
|
Competitive record
[edit]FIFA Women's World Cup
[edit]FIFA Women's World Cup record | Qualification record | |||||||||||||||
---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
Year | Result | GP | W | D* | L | GF | GA | GD | GP | W | D* | L | GF | GA | GD | |
1991 | did not qualify | 4 | 2 | 1 | 1 | 6 | 3 | +3 | ||||||||
1995 | did not enter | did not enter | ||||||||||||||
1999 | did not qualify | 6 | 3 | 1 | 2 | 8 | 4 | +4 | ||||||||
2003 | 6 | 4 | 0 | 2 | 18 | 7 | +11 | |||||||||
2007 | 8 | 1 | 1 | 6 | 3 | 15 | −12 | |||||||||
2011 | 8 | 4 | 1 | 3 | 12 | 10 | +2 | |||||||||
2015 | 10 | 5 | 2 | 3 | 13 | 9 | +4 | |||||||||
2019 | 8 | 4 | 1 | 3 | 10 | 6 | +4 | |||||||||
2023 | Group Stage | 3 | 0 | 1 | 2 | 1 | 3 | –2 | 9 | 6 | 2 | 1 | 27 | 4 | +23 | |
2027 | To be determined | To be determined | ||||||||||||||
Total | Group Stage | 3 | 0 | 1 | 2 | 1 | 3 | –2 | 55 | 27 | 8 | 20 | 91 | 55 | +36 |
- *Draws include knockout matches decided on penalty kicks.
UEFA Women's Championship
[edit]UEFA Women's Championship record | Qualifying record | |||||||||||||||
---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
Year | Result | Pld | W | D* | L | GS | GA | Pld | W | D* | L | GS | GA | P/R | Rnk | |
1984 | Did not qualify | 6 | 2 | 1 | 3 | 6 | 14 | – | ||||||||
1987 | 6 | 2 | 0 | 4 | 4 | 17 | ||||||||||
1989 | 4 | 0 | 1 | 3 | 1 | 8 | ||||||||||
1991 | 4 | 2 | 1 | 1 | 6 | 3 | ||||||||||
1993 | 4 | 1 | 0 | 3 | 1 | 12 | ||||||||||
1995 | Did not enter | Did not enter | ||||||||||||||
1997 | Did not qualify | 8 | 6 | 0 | 2 | 20 | 10 | – | ||||||||
2001 | 6 | 2 | 1 | 3 | 6 | 12 | ||||||||||
2005 | 8 | 5 | 3 | 0 | 35 | 5 | ||||||||||
2009 | 10 | 4 | 1 | 5 | 11 | 18 | ||||||||||
2013 | 8 | 3 | 0 | 5 | 8 | 11 | ||||||||||
2017 | 8 | 3 | 0 | 5 | 17 | 14 | ||||||||||
2022 | 8 | 4 | 1 | 3 | 11 | 10 | ||||||||||
2025 | 10 | 3 | 1 | 6 | 15 | 13 | [a] | 15th | ||||||||
Total | - | - | - | - | - | - | - | 90 | 37 | 10 | 43 | 141 | 147 | 15th |
- *Draws include knockout matches decided on penalty kicks.
UEFA Women's Nations League
[edit]UEFA Women's Nations League record | ||||||||||||
---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
Season | League | Group | Pos | Pld | W | D | L | GF | GA | P/R | Rnk | |
2023–24 | B | 1 | 1st | 6 | 6 | 0 | 0 | 20 | 2 | 17th | ||
2025 | B | 2 | To be determined | |||||||||
Total | 6 | 6 | 0 | 0 | 20 | 2 | 17th |
Promoted at end of season | |
No movement at end of season | |
Relegated at end of season | |
* | Participated in promotion/relegation play-offs |
See also
[edit]- Sport in Ireland
- Republic of Ireland women's national under-19 football team
- Republic of Ireland women's national under-17 football team
- Republic of Ireland men's national football team
Notes
[edit]- ^ From Euro 2025 onwards a new qualifying format was introduced, linked to the Women's Nations League where teams are divided into leagues with promotion/relegation between the leagues at the end of each cycle.
References
[edit]- ^ "The FIFA/Coca-Cola Women's World Ranking". FIFA. 16 August 2024. Retrieved 16 August 2024.
- ^ Nowakowski, Wojciech (8 August 2023). "Morocco, Ireland, Portugal: All 8 Women's World Cup debutants and how far they made it". Her Football Hub. Retrieved 24 October 2023.
- ^ "Women's tournaments come to the fore in March". www.fifa.com.
- ^ Fan Hong, J. A. Mangan (2004). Soccer, Women, Sexual Liberation: Kicking Off a New Era. Frank Cass Publishers.
- ^ Ryan, Eoin (10 May 2020). "Trailblazers – When Dundalk Ladies represented Ireland". RTÉ Sport. Retrieved 29 August 2020.
When the WFAI was established in 1973, almost a full three years after the Corinthians clash, Gorham scored a hat-trick in the Republic of Ireland's first officially recognised women's international – a 3–2 victory away to Wales.
- ^ "Irish goalkeeping great Sue Hayden". Retrieved 20 February 2016.
- ^ Garin, Erik (20 October 2003). "1st Celt Cup – Women Tournament – 2000". RSSSF. Retrieved 24 December 2013.
- ^ "UEFA.com – Women's Under-17 2010 – Republic of Ireland-Sweden". www.uefa.com.
- ^ "UEFA.com – Women's Under-17 2010 – Republic of Ireland-Germany". www.uefa.com.
- ^ "Women's Under-19 2014 - Sweden-Republic of Ireland – UEFA.com". Uefa.com. 21 July 2014.
- ^ a b c "Ireland women's team withdraw from training". RTÉ.ie. 5 April 2017. Retrieved 6 April 2017.
- ^ "Agreement reached between FAI and Women's National Team". RTÉ.ie. 6 April 2017. Retrieved 6 April 2017.
- ^ Ryan, Eoin (30 November 2021). "Recap: Republic of Ireland 11–0 Georgia". RTÉ.ie.
- ^ "World Cup Qualifier FT: Ireland 1 Finland 0 - Vera Pauw's side book playoff spot". The Irish Times.
- ^ "Republic of Ireland Women 1-0 Finland Women: Girls in Green secure World Cup play-off spot". Sky Sports.
- ^ "History in Hampden as Ireland clinch qualification for 2023 World Cup". The 42. 11 October 2022. Retrieved 12 October 2022.
- ^ "'This is for Creeslough, this is for Donegal' - Amber Barrett pays poignant tribute after famous playoff goal". The Irish Independent. 11 October 2022. Retrieved 12 October 2022.
- ^ Reid, Kurtis (12 October 2022). "Watch: Republic of Ireland players apologise as video emerges of pro-IRA chant". Belfast Telegraph. Retrieved 12 October 2022.
- ^ "Republic of Ireland women: FAI and manager Pauw apologise for players' IRA chant after play-off win". BBC Sport. 12 October 2022. Retrieved 12 October 2022.
- ^ "Republic of Ireland women: FAI fined 20,000 euros by Uefa for players' pro-IRA chant". BBC Sport. 8 December 2022. Retrieved 8 December 2022.
- ^ "Catley penalty gives Australia win over Republic". BBC Sport.
- ^ www.fifa.com https://www.fifa.com/fifaplus/en/tournaments/womens/womensworldcup/australia-new-zealand2023/articles/canada-republic-of-ireland-womens-world-cup-2023. Retrieved 29 March 2024.
{{cite web}}
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(help) - ^ "Women's European Qualifiers Qualifying Round - Arklow Town FC, Arklow - 28 May 2000". fai.ie. Retrieved 23 September 2023.
- ^ O'Connell, Dylan (23 September 2023). "Ireland enter new era with win over Northern Ireland in front of 35,994 fans at the Aviva". echolive.ie. Retrieved 23 September 2023.
The Republic of Ireland women's national team marked their first-ever game at the Aviva Stadium with a 3-0 victory over Northern Ireland in the UEFA Nations League
- ^ "Support Staff confirmed for Ireland WNT". Football Association of Ireland. 12 February 2024. Retrieved 13 February 2024.
- ^ "Republic of Ireland women's football players". Women's Football Archive. 13 June 2022.
- ^ "End of an era for Irish women". Kickin Magazine. 7 July 2000. Archived from the original on 19 November 2007. Retrieved 12 April 2021.
- ^ Kelly, Niall (31 December 2020). "Noel King takes charge of Shelbourne's WNL team ahead of 2021 season". The42. Retrieved 12 April 2021.
King spent almost a decade in charge of Ireland's Women's National Team from 2000 to 2010
- ^ "Ronan succeeds King at Ireland helm". UEFA. 15 October 2010. Retrieved 12 April 2021.
- ^ Mackey, Liam (29 December 2016). "Sue Ronan kicks through football's glass ceiling". Irish Examiner. Retrieved 12 April 2021.
- ^ "Colin Bell replaces Sue Ronan as Ireland manager". RTÉ Sport. 8 February 2017. Retrieved 12 April 2021.
- ^ Fallon, John (4 September 2019). "Ex-Netherlands boss Vera Pauw appointed as new Ireland women's manager". Irish Independent. Retrieved 12 April 2021.
- ^ "Gleeson appointed interim Republic of Ireland boss in wake of Pauw exit". RTÉ News. 30 August 2023. Retrieved 30 August 2023.
- ^ Pyne, Anthony (11 December 2024). "Gleeson's reign ends as FAI opts against new contract".
{{cite journal}}
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(help) - ^ "Ireland WNT Squad selected for EURO 2025 Play-Off with Cymru". Football Association of Ireland. 21 November 2024. Retrieved 21 November 2024.
- ^ "Olivia O'Toole; Escaping Drugs, Fighting Inequality & Becoming Ireland's Top Scorer – Her Sport". 6 March 2020.[dead link ]