Republic of Ireland crush Georgia to set up Euro 2025 play-off showdown against Wales

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Republic of Ireland now play Wales for a place at Euro 2025

There was little doubt that Ireland would beat the Georgians comfortably, and no doubts last night from the moment Julie-Ann Russell scored after three minutes. 

And while the 8,745 in attendance wished for more than just further goals from Kyra Carusa and Katie McCabe, it was job done. 

Wales in Cardiff on November 29 and then an Aviva Stadium second leg on December 2 will be a different kettle of fish entirely. 

The Welsh beat Slovakia 3-2 on aggregate in Cardiff after extra time, having lost 2-1 in the away leg last Friday. 

And Whereas Georgia were the lowest ranked side in the play-off, Wales beat the Girls in Green 2-0 just last February in a Tallaght friendly. 

But Eileen Gleeson’s side will go into the clash full of confidence after making the Georgia win look easy. 

The gaffer made two changes from the first leg as Jessie Stapleton and Marissa Sheva came in while McCabe started further forward with Russell at left wing back. 

And it was Russell from wingback who opened the scoring with not even 150 seconds on the clock with Gleeson’s personal and tactical switches all involved. 

There was a patient build-up with Stapleton and then McCabe pinged a ball into striker Carusa who quickly laid it off to the onrushing Sheva. 

The midfielder’s powerful shot was parried by Tatia Gabunia and she could only look on helplessly as the ball fell to Russell who expertly found the corner through a crowded area.

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Whatever slim chance of Georgia making it nervous for Ireland was also extinguished with that goal and it was then just a case of how many the Girls in Green could add. 

But much like the first leg, the Georgians’ priority was keeping the score down rather than troubling the Ireland goal themselves. 

There were stoppages for injuries – three in the first half alone – and plenty of set-pieces conceded that knocked Ireland out of their rhythm. 

Bar a shot from Teona Bakradze after 60 minutes that Courtney Brosnan easily saved, the Ireland goal was never threatened. 

And with so much possession Ireland kept plugging away for the 90 minutes with plenty of goalmouth scrambles but few clear cut opportunities. 

They doubled their advantage with a fine strike on 31 minutes through Carusa who netted her ninth international goal. 

It was all about the clever incisive football as the Girls in Green kept possession before Hayes fizzed a ball forward to Stapleton. 

The Sunderland star – on loan from West Ham – has been tipped to become a mainstay of the team by Gleeson who admitted she is unsure if that is in defence or midfield. 

And her part in the goal showed her ability on the ball as she back heeled the ball first time in to Carusa who raced in and finished first-time beyond Gabuna. 

Two minutes later, the win could have been beyond doubt when Carusa won a penalty when pushed over by Mariam Kalandadze. 

After a long VAR delay, McCabe’s spot kick was well over the bar in a let off for Georgia but the Ireland skipper was not to be denied again on 55 minutes. 

She drilled home her 29th international goal from the edge of the box that beat Gabunia at her near post after a short corner with Denise O’Sullivan.

There were other chances too with Player of the Match Russell going close on several occasions in the first half and again after the break when moved into attack. 

Aoife Mannion and Caitlin Hayes also had chances with headers from McCabe corners while Leanne Kiernan was lively when introduced in the second half. 

But now Ireland are in with the bigger fish as they look to see off Wales to book a spot in next year’s finals in Switzerland. 

Ireland 3 (Russell 3, Carusa 31, McCabe 55) 

Georgia 0

Ireland win 9-0 on aggregate 

Sun Star Player – Julie-Ann Russell (Ireland)  

Ireland: Brosnan 7; Mannion 7 (Agg ht, 6), Hayes 7, Patten 7; Larkin 7 (Atkinson 58, 6), Stapleton 7, O’Sullivan 7, Russell 8 (Molloy 83, 6); Sheva 7, McCabe 7 (Kiernan 72, 6); Carusa 7 (Payne 58, 6).

Georgia: Gabunia 5; Kadagishvili 5, Kalandadze 5, Gasviani 5, Chkhartishvili 5; Narsia 5, Danelia 5, Bukhrikidze 5; Khaburdzania 5 (Ambalia 60, 6), Bakradze 5 (Bebia 60, 6), Cheminava 5 (Pasikashvili 89, 6).

Referee: K Kulcsar (Hungary) 6.

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Publish date : 2024-10-29 15:16:00

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