Republic of Ireland women's national football team

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.

This article is about the women's team. For the men's team, see Republic of Ireland national football team.
Not to be confused with Northern Ireland women's national football team.

Republic of Ireland
Shirt badge/Association crest
Nickname(s)The Girls in Green (Irish: Na cailíní i nglas)
AssociationWomen's Football Association of Ireland
ConfederationUEFA (Europe)
Head coachEileen Gleeson (interim)
CaptainKatie McCabe
Most capsEmma Byrne (134)
Top scorerOlivia O'Toole (54)
Home stadiumTallaght Stadium
FIFA codeIRL
First colours
Second colours
FIFA ranking
Current 24 Decrease 2 (25 August 2023)[1]
Highest22 (March – June 2023)
Lowest38 (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
Appearances1 (first in 2023)
Best resultGroup stage (2023)
WebsiteOfficial website

History

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 the 20th of 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 (1-2), after leading 1-0 for much of the first half and was mathematically eliminated after 2 days despite a good performance. The girls in green leave the competition with honors by finishing bottom of group B but with one point, after holding Nigeria (0-0) in check.

Home stadium

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 Belfield Park, Carlisle Grounds, Ferrycarrig Park, Flancare Park and at Lamberton, Arklow.[22] While, they played the majority of their home games at Tallaght Stadium since 2013, the national team played their first home game at the Aviva Stadium in September 2023.[23]

Results and fixtures
See also: Republic of Ireland women's national football team 1973–1989 results, Republic of Ireland women's national football team 1990s results, Republic of Ireland women's national football team 2000s results, and Republic of Ireland women's national football team 2010s results
  • 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

2022
14 November Friendly Republic of Ireland  4–0  Morocco San Pedro Alcántara, Spain
17:00
Report Stadium: Marbella Football Center
Referee: Jason Barcelo (Gibraltar)

2023
22 February Friendly Republic of Ireland  0–0  China Algeciras, Spain
14:00 UTC+1 Stadium: Estadio Nuevo Mirador
8 April Friendly United States  2–0  Republic of Ireland Austin, United States
19:30 IST
Report Stadium: Q2 Stadium
Attendance: 20,593
Referee: Carly Shaw-MacLaren (Canada)
12 April Friendly United States  1–0  Republic of Ireland St. Louis, United States
00:30 IST
Report Stadium: Citypark
Attendance: 22,294
Referee: Crystal Sobers (Trinidad and Tobago)
22 June Friendly Republic of Ireland  3–2  Zambia Dublin
 Report
Stadium: Tallaght Stadium
Attendance: 5,732
6 July Friendly Republic of Ireland  0–3  France Dublin
Stadium: Tallaght Stadium
14 July Friendly Colombia  Abandoned  Republic of Ireland Brisbane, Australia
Stadium: Meakin Park
Attendance: 0 (Closed door game)
Note: Pre-World Cup warmup match abandoned after 20 minutes due to "overly physical" play from Colombia that resulted in the hospitalisation of Denise O'Sullivan.[24]
20 July FIFA WC Group Australia  1–0  Republic of Ireland Sydney, Australia
20:00 UTC+10
Report Stadium: Stadium Australia
Attendance: 75,784
Referee: Edina Alves Batista (Brazil)
26 July FIFA WC Group Canada  2–1  Republic of Ireland Perth, Australia
20:00 UTC+8
Report
Stadium: Perth Rectangular Stadium
Attendance: 17,065
Referee: Laura Fortunato (Argentina)
31 July FIFA WC Group Republic of Ireland  0–0  Nigeria Brisbane, Australia
20:00 UTC+10 Report Stadium: Lang Park
Attendance: 24,884
Referee: Katia García (Mexico)
23 September 2023–24 UEFA Nations League Republic of Ireland  3–0  Northern Ireland Dublin
 Report Stadium: Aviva Stadium
Referee: Hristiyana Guteva (Bulgaria)
26 September 2023–24 UEFA Nations League Hungary  0–4  Republic of Ireland Budapest, Hungary
Report
Stadium: Hidegkuti Nándor Stadion
Referee: Zuzana Valentová (Slovakia)
27 October 2023–24 UEFA Nations League Republic of Ireland  v  Albania Dublin
Report Stadium: Tallaght Stadium
31 October 2023–24 UEFA Nations League Albania  v  Republic of Ireland Shkodër, Albania
Report Stadium: Loro Boriçi Stadium
1 December 2023–24 UEFA Nations League Republic of Ireland  v  Hungary Dublin
Report Stadium: Tallaght Stadium
5 December 2023–24 UEFA Nations League Northern Ireland  v  Republic of Ireland TBD
Report

Coaching staff

Current coaching staff

The senior women's management team includes:[25]

Role Name
Head coach Republic of Ireland Eileen Gleeson (interim)
Assistant coach Republic of Ireland Colin Healy
Assistant coach Republic of Ireland Emma Byrne
Goalkeeping coach Republic of Ireland Richie Fitzgibbon

Manager history

Players

Current squad
  • The following 26 players were named to the squad for the UEFA Nations League matches against Albania on 27 October 2023 and 31 October 2023, respectively.[34]
  • Caps and goals updated as of 26 September 2023 after the match against  Hungary.
No. Pos. Player Date of birth (age) Caps Goals Club
1GK Courtney Brosnan (1995-11-10) 10 November 1995 28 0 England Everton
1GK Grace Moloney (1993-04-01) 1 April 1993 6 0 England London City Lionesses
1GK Sophie Whitehouse (1996-10-10) 10 October 1996 0 0 England Lewes
2DF Louise Quinn (1990-06-17) 17 June 1990 110 15 England Birmingham City
2DF Diane Caldwell (1988-09-11) 11 September 1988 99 4 Switzerland Zürich Frauen
2DF Megan Campbell (1993-06-28) 28 June 1993 47 4 England Everton
2DF Claire O'Riordan (1994-10-12) 12 October 1994 19 1 Belgium Standard Liège
2DF Chloe Mustaki (1995-07-29) 29 July 1995 6 0 England Bristol City
2DF Hayley Nolan (1997-03-07) 7 March 1997 3 0 England Crystal Palace
2DF Caitlin Hayes (1995-09-22) 22 September 1995 2 1 Scotland Celtic
3MF Denise O'Sullivan (1994-02-04) 4 February 1994 107 19 United States North Carolina Courage
3MF Katie McCabe (captain) (1995-09-21) 21 September 1995 78 22 England Arsenal
3MF Megan Connolly (1997-03-07) 7 March 1997 47 4 England Bristol City
3MF Heather Payne (2000-01-20) 20 January 2000 39 1 England Everton
3MF Lucy Quinn (1993-09-29) 29 September 1993 18 3 England Birmingham City
3MF Jamie Finn (1998-04-21) 21 April 1998 16 0 England Birmingham City
3MF Tyler Toland (2001-08-08) 8 August 2001 15 1 England Blackburn Rovers
3MF Lily Agg (1993-12-17) 17 December 1993 12 3 England Birmingham City
2DF Izzy Atkinson (2001-07-17) 17 July 2001 10 0 England West Ham United
3MF Sinead Farrelly (1989-11-16) 16 November 1989 5 0 United States Gotham FC
4FW Amber Barrett (1996-01-10) 10 January 1996 39 7 Belgium Standard Liège
4FW Kyra Carusa (1995-11-14) 14 November 1995 17 4 United States San Diego Wave
4FW Abbie Larkin (2005-04-27) 27 April 2005 13 1 Scotland Glasgow City
4FW Emily Whelan (2002-08-22) 22 August 2002 8 0 Scotland Glasgow City
4FW Saoirse Noonan (1999-07-13) 13 July 1999 4 1 England Durham
3MF Erin McLaughlin (2003-03-08) 8 March 2003 1 0 Republic of Ireland Peamount United

Recent call-ups
  • The following players have also been called up to the Republic of Ireland squad within the 12 months previous to October 2023.
Pos. Player Date of birth (age) Caps Goals Club Latest call-up
GK Megan Walsh (1994-11-12) 12 November 1994 1 0 England West Ham v.  Hungary, 26 September 2023
GK Naoisha McAloon (1999-03-17) 17 March 1999 0 0 England Durham v.  China, 23 February 2023
GK Katie Keane (2006-07-27) 27 July 2006 0 0 Republic of Ireland Shelbourne v.  Morocco, 14 November 2022
DF Áine O'Gorman (1989-05-13) 13 May 1989 119 13 Republic of Ireland Shamrock Rovers 2023 FIFA Women's World Cup
DF Niamh Fahey (1987-10-13) 13 October 1987 111 1 England Liverpool 2023 FIFA Women's World Cup
DF Harriet Scott (1993-02-10) 10 February 1993 24 0 England Birmingham City 2023 FIFA Women's World Cup PRE
DF Savannah McCarthy (1997-03-26) 26 March 1997 11 0 Republic of Ireland Shamrock Rovers v.  Hungary, 26 September 2023
DF Éabha O'Mahony (2002-05-17) 17 May 2002 4 0 United States Texas Longhorns v.  Hungary, 26 September 2023
DF Claire Walsh (1994-10-28) 28 October 1994 4 0 Scotland Glasgow City v.  China, 23 February 2023
DF Aoife Mannion (1995-09-24) 24 September 1995 2 0 England Manchester United v.  Zambia, 22 June 2023 PRE
DF Tara O'Hanlon (2005-03-13) 13 March 2005 2 0 Republic of Ireland Peamount United v.  Zambia, 22 June 2023
DF Deborah-Anne De la Harpe (2000-04-05) 5 April 2000 1 0 Australia Sydney FC v.  China, 23 February 2023
DF Jessie Stapleton (2005-02-07) 7 February 2005 1 0 England West Ham v.  Morocco, 14 November 2022
MF Ruesha Littlejohn (1990-07-03) 3 July 1990 75 6 England London City Lionesses 2023 FIFA Women's World Cup
MF Ciara Grant (1993-06-11) 11 June 1993 18 0 Scotland Hearts 2023 FIFA Women's World Cup
MF Roma McLaughlin (1998-03-06) 6 March 1998 11 0 Denmark Fortuna Hjørring v.  Zambia, 22 June 2023
FW Marissa Sheva (1997-04-22) 22 April 1997 7 0 United States Washington Spirit v.  Hungary, 26 September 2023
MF Aoibheann Clancy (2003-10-31) 31 October 2003 1 0 Republic of Ireland Wexford Youths v.  Morocco, 14 November 2022
FW Leanne Kiernan (1999-04-27) 27 April 1999 27 4 England Liverpool v.  Zambia, 22 June 2023
FW Alannah McEvoy (2001-02-07) 7 February 2001 0 0 Republic of Ireland Shamrock Rovers v.  United States, 12 April 2023

Notes:

  • PRE – Preliminary squad / standby

Records
  • Statistics correct as of 27 October 2023.
  • Active players in bold.

Competitive record

FIFA Women's World Cup
Main article: Republic of Ireland at the FIFA Women's World Cup
FIFA Women's World Cup record Qualification record
Year Result GP W D* L GF GA GD GP W D* L GF GA GD
China 1991did not qualify UEFA Euro 1991
Sweden 1995did not enter UEFA Euro 1995
United States 1999did not qualify 631284+4
United States 2003 6402187+11
China 2007 8116315−12
Germany 2011 84131210+2
Canada 2015 10523139+4
France 2019 8413106+4
AustraliaNew Zealand 2023 Group Stage301213–2 9621274+23
2027To be determined To be determined
TotalGroup Stage301213–2 55278209155+36
*Draws include knockout matches decided on penalty kicks.

UEFA Women's Championship
UEFA Women's Championship record Qualifying record
Year Result GP W D* L GS GA GP W D* L GS GA
1984did not qualify 6213614
Norway 1987 6204417
Germany 1989 401318
Denmark 1991 421163
Italy 1993 4103112
Germany 1995did not enter did not enter
NorwaySweden 1997did not qualify 86022010
Germany 2001 6213612
England 2005 8530355
Finland 2009 104151118
Sweden 2013 8305811
Netherlands 2017 83051714
England 2022 84131110
Switzerland 2025to be determined to be determined
Total------- 8034937126134
*Draws include knockout matches decided on penalty kicks.

See also

Notes

      References
      1. "The FIFA/Coca-Cola Women's World Ranking". FIFA. 25 August 2023. Retrieved 25 August 2023.
      2. 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.
      3. "Women's tournaments come to the fore in March". www.fifa.com.
      4. Fan Hong, J. A. Mangan (2004). Soccer, Women, Sexual Liberation: Kicking Off a New Era. Frank Cass Publishers.
      5. 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.
      6. "Irish goalkeeping great Sue Hayden". Retrieved 20 February 2016.
      7. Garin, Erik (20 October 2003). "1st Celt Cup – Women Tournament – 2000". RSSSF. Retrieved 24 December 2013.
      8. "UEFA.com – Women's Under-17 2010 – Republic of Ireland-Sweden". www.uefa.com.
      9. "UEFA.com – Women's Under-17 2010 – Republic of Ireland-Germany". www.uefa.com.
      10. "Women's Under-19 2014 - Sweden-Republic of Ireland – UEFA.com". Uefa.com. 21 July 2014.
      11. "Ireland women's team withdraw from training". RTÉ.ie. 5 April 2017. Retrieved 6 April 2017.
      12. "Agreement reached between FAI and Women's National Team". RTÉ.ie. 6 April 2017. Retrieved 6 April 2017.
      13. Ryan, Eoin (30 November 2021). "Recap: Republic of Ireland 11–0 Georgia". RTÉ.ie.
      14. "World Cup Qualifier FT: Ireland 1 Finland 0 - Vera Pauw's side book playoff spot". The Irish Times.
      15. "Republic of Ireland Women 1-0 Finland Women: Girls in Green secure World Cup play-off spot". Sky Sports.
      16. "History in Hampden as Ireland clinch qualification for 2023 World Cup". The 42. 11 October 2022. Retrieved 12 October 2022.
      17. "'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.
      18. Reid, Kurtis (12 October 2022). "Watch: Republic of Ireland players apologise as video emerges of pro-IRA chant". Belfast Telegraph. Retrieved 12 October 2022.
      19. "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.
      20. "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.
      21. "Catley penalty gives Australia win over Republic". BBC Sport.
      22. "Women's European Qualifiers Qualifying Round - Arklow Town FC, Arklow - 28 May 2000". fai.ie. Retrieved 23 September 2023.
      23. 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
      25. "Management Team". Football Association of Ireland. Retrieved 28 May 2022.
      26. "Republic of Ireland women's football players". Women's Football Archive. 13 June 2022.
      27. "End of an era for Irish women". Kickin Magazine. 7 July 2000. Retrieved 12 April 2021.
      28. 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
      29. "Ronan succeeds King at Ireland helm". UEFA. 15 October 2010. Retrieved 12 April 2021.
      30. Mackey, Liam (29 December 2016). "Sue Ronan kicks through football's glass ceiling". Irish Examiner. Retrieved 12 April 2021.
      31. "Colin Bell replaces Sue Ronan as Ireland manager". RTÉ Sport. 8 February 2017. Retrieved 12 April 2021.
      32. Fallon, John (4 September 2019). "Ex-Netherlands boss Vera Pauw appointed as new Ireland women's manager". Irish Independent. Retrieved 12 April 2021.
      33. "Gleeson appointed interim Republic of Ireland boss in wake of Pauw exit". RTÉ News. 30 August 2023. Retrieved 30 August 2023.
      34. "WNT Squad confirmed for Albania double header". Football Association of Ireland. 18 October 2023. Retrieved 18 October 2023.
      35. "Emma Byrne | Football Association of Ireland". www.fai.ie.
      36. "Olivia O'Toole; Escaping Drugs, Fighting Inequality & Becoming Ireland's Top Scorer – Her Sport". 6 March 2020.
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