The Republic of Ireland Women’s National Team (WNT) welcome group leaders the Netherlands to Páirc Uí Chaoimh tomorrow night.
A positive result will keep their historic dream of direct qualification for the 2027 FIFA Women's World Cup in Brazil firmly alive.
Ireland are currently, third in a highly competitive qualifying group. A statement performance in Cork will allow Ireland to take the race for automatic qualification down to the final matchday.
Ireland face France in Grenoble on Tuesday in the final game.
"I think everyone loves being down here” explained Ireland head coach Carla Ward.
“I think the people of Cork make an awful lot of noise. We heard that last year”. “If we can get those numbers up in the next couple of days, I think it's going to be an unbelievable occasion."
Indeed, Ward will have to rely on the formidable depth of her squad to navigate two significant suspension blows. Influential midfielder Denise O'Sullivan and forward Emily Murphy are both ruled out of Friday’s clash after picking up second yellow cards during last month’s win over Poland.
Republic of Ireland WNT Squad
Goalkeepers: Courtney Brosnan (Everton FC), Sophie Whitehouse (Charlton Athletic), Grace Moloney (Sunderland).
Defenders: Katie McCabe (Arsenal FC), Anna Patten (Aston Villa FC), Caitlin Hayes (Brighton & Hove Albion), Hayley Nolan (Crystal Palace), Aoife Mannion (Newcastle United), Jessie Stapleton (West Ham United), Chloe Mustaki (Nottingham Forest).
Midfielders: Tyler Toland (Durham), Megan Connolly (Lazio), Marissa Sheva (Sunderland), Lucy Quinn (Birmingham City); Ruesha Littlejohn (Crystal Palace), Jamie Finn (Sunderland), Aoibheann Clancy (Shelbourne), Jess Ziu (West Ham United).
Attackers: Saoirse Noonan (Celtic FC), Abbie Larkin (Crystal Palace), Leanne Kiernan (Liverpool), Kyra Carusa (Kansas City Current - loan), Amber Barrett (Strasbourg).
Republic of Ireland v Netherlands
UEFA Women's World Cup Qualifier
Date: Friday, June 5, Kick-off: 7:30pm
Referee: Katalin Kulcsár (HUN)
