How Irish players fared in the first leg of Euro 2025 qualifiers – The Irish Times

1Courtney Brosnan

I couldn’t do much to stop Wales’ goal. Solid in pushing the ball away from a dangerous corner in the second half and showing his opposing keeper how to stop a long shot from Jones. Rating: 6

14 Heather Payne

Solid overall performance, good dynamics on the wing, showing more composure with experience. Woodham beat him to the goal, but it’s hard to expect a mistake from Fahey. Rating: 6

12Anna Patten

The best of the central defenders, comfortable on the ball, some good interceptions and uphill runs up the pitch. I made some major blocks. Rating: 7

4 Caitlin Hayes

It looked clunky at times and perhaps could have been quicker to close out Fishlock for the first half goal. Made a slight error in the second half which had to be saved by Fahey. Almost scored with a volley in the second half. Rating: 5

5Niamh Fahey

He looked rusty from lack of playing time, but unfortunately made the worst mistake of the match, missing the ball for Wales’ goal which fell to the striker. Defended better in the second half. Rating: 5

11Katie McCabe

The usual McCabe performance on both sides of the ball, great interceptions and physical play, good on the ball and always involved despite playing further back without doing anything remarkable. Rating: 7

17 Lily Agg

A solid first half performance, with good work rate, tackles and interceptions. Quite unlucky to be eliminated at the break. Rating: 6

10 Denise O’Sullivan

The classiest operator on the pitch, lovely turns, interactions, passing and the heart of everything that is good about Ireland on the ball, and lots of good work too. We fought until the end. Rating: 8

8 Ruesha Littlejohn

She struggled to establish herself for the first 30 minutes, then contributed to Ireland’s first goal with a superb looping shot from 35 yards that went off the goalkeeper. From then until she was taken away, she was everywhere, throwing all her weight around. Rating: 8

21 Julie-Ann Russell

She struggled to keep possession against strong Welsh defenders and had half a chance in the first half which she missed. Great work rate as always but had better games. Rating: 5

18 Kira Carusa

Not massively involved but when she was, it was often positive. Some great sequences, runs and headers, and some serious pressure on the ball. Rating: 7

Replacements

The substitutes did not have a major impact on the match. Sheva played quite well in the second half with good energy, as did Kiernan. Stapleton and Barrett had limited impact. Rating: 6

Manager: Eileen Gleeson

The team were well organized in the first half, positive and were the better team with the goal being scored against the run of play. A questionable decision to bring Agg off at half time and Ireland were not as fluid after the break. Rating: 6