The opportunity to qualify for the 2025 UEFA European Championships comes down to a mouthwatering clash between the Ireland Women’s National Team and Cymru in Aviva Stadium on Tuesday, December 3rd.
With over 25,000 tickets sold, it could be a very special night for Irish football as the home team aim to qualify for the European Championships for the first time.
Speaking after the first leg, Eileen Gleeson said to the Irish Times, “I don’t feel [the pressure] is on our shoulders; I feel like it is in our soul; this is our home,” said Gleeson.
“We love playing in the Aviva. We love the crowd. It is magical. You walk out; they sing. There is nothing like being at home in Ireland.
Katie McCabe of Republic of Ireland (Photo By Stephen McCarthy/Sportsfile via Getty Images)“For us, we are coming home. We are trying to inspire the nation and do the nation proud. That’s nothing but a boost. We are a passionate country. We have a lot of pride in this team.”
Wales manager Rhian Wilkinson added her thoughts after Friday's draw and admitted Wales have another level to go.
“We are really looking forward to Dublin and making history in their home,” said Wilkinson. “It won’t be different from them, but it has to be different from us.
“We cannot get caught up in that, it turned into a tennis match. They got their draw.
“I know we have another level in us.”
MATCH DETAILS
UEFA EURO 2025 Qualifying Play-Off
Round 2, Second Leg
Ireland v Cymru
Tuesday, December 3rd
Aviva Stadium
KO 19:30
LIVE on RTÉ2/RTÉ / RTÉ Player
MATCH OFFICIALS
Referee: Marta Huerta De Aza (Spain)
Assistant Referee 1: Eliana Fernandez Gonzalez (Spain)
Assistant Referee 2: Iragartze Fernandez Esesumaga (Spain)
Fourth Official | Olatz Rivera Olmedo (Spain)
Video Assistant Referee | Guillermo Cuadra (Spain)
Assistant Video Assistant Referee | Valentin Gomez (Spain)
Ireland WNT Squad
Goalkeepers: Courtney Brosnan (Everton), Grace Moloney (London City Lionesses), Sophie Whitehouse (Charlton Athletic)
Defenders: Jessie Stapleton (Sunderland, on loan from West Ham United), Diane Caldwell (FC Zurich), Niamh Fahey (Liverpool), Caitlin Hayes (Celtic), Anna Patten (Aston Villa), Megan Campbell (London City Lionesses)
Midfielders: Katie McCabe (Arsenal), Denise O’Sullivan (North Carolina Carolina), Megan Connolly (Lazio), Lily Agg (Birmingham City), Tyler Toland (Blackburn Rovers), Ruesha Littlejohn (London City Lionesses), Heather Payne (Everton), Marissa Sheva (Portland Thorns), and Izzy Atkinson (Crystal Palace)
Forwards: Kyra Carusa (San Diego Wave), Abbie Larkin (Crystal Palace), Amber Barrett (Standard Liege), Leanne Kiernan (Liverpool), Julie-Ann Russell (Galway United)
