Republic of Ireland women's national football team

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
CaptainKatie McCabe
Most capsEmma Byrne (134)
Top scorerOlivia O'Toole (54)
Home stadiumTallaght Stadium
FIFA codeIRL
First colours
Second colours
FIFA ranking
Current 24 Increase 1 (16 August 2024)[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

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.

History

[edit]

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 20 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.[22]

Home stadium

[edit]

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 Glenmalure Park, Belfield Park, Carlisle Grounds, Ferrycarrig Park, Flancare Park and at Lamberton, Arklow.[23] While, they played the majority of their home games at Tallaght Stadium since 2013,[citation needed] the national team played their first home game at the Aviva Stadium in September 2023.[24]

Results and fixtures

[edit]
Further information: Republic of Ireland women's national football team results (2020–present)

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

2023

[edit]
1 December 2023–24 UEFA Nations League Republic of Ireland  1–0  Hungary Dublin, Ireland
19:30 GMT
Report Stadium: Tallaght Stadium
Attendance: 6,752
Referee: Shona Shukrula (Netherlands)
5 December 2023–24 UEFA Nations League Northern Ireland  1–6  Republic of Ireland Belfast, Northern Ireland
19:00 GMT
Report
Stadium: Windsor Park
Referee: Veronika Kovarova (Czech Republic)

2024

[edit]
23 February Friendly Italy  0–0  Republic of Ireland Florence, Italy
17:15 GMT Report Stadium: Viola Park
Referee: Emanuela Rusta (Albania)
27 February Friendly Republic of Ireland  0–2  Wales Dublin, Ireland
19:30 GMT Report
Stadium: Tallaght Stadium
Attendance: 8,218
5 April Euro 2025 qualifying France  1–0  Republic of Ireland Metz, France
21:10 CEDT
Report Stadium: Stade Saint-Symphorien
Referee: Maria Sole Ferrieri Caputi (Italy)
9 April Euro 2025 qualifying Republic of Ireland  0–2  England Dublin, Ireland
19:30 IST
Report Stadium: Aviva Stadium
Attendance: 32,742
Referee: Lina Lehtovaara (Finland)
31 May Euro 2025 qualifying Republic of Ireland  0–3  Sweden Dublin, Ireland
19:30 IST Report
Stadium: Aviva Stadium
Attendance: 22,868
Referee: Katalin Kulcsár (Hungary)
4 June Euro 2025 qualifying Sweden  1–0  Republic of Ireland Solna, Sweden
18:30 CEDT
Report Stadium: Friends Arena
Attendance: 21,216
Referee: Alina Peşu (Romania)
12 July Euro 2025 qualifying England  2–1  Republic of Ireland Norwich, England
20:00 BST
Report
Stadium: Carrow Road
Attendance: 23,003
Referee: Catarina Campos (Portugal)
16 July Euro 2025 qualifying Republic of Ireland  3–1  France Cork, Ireland
18:00 IST
Report
Stadium: Páirc Uí Chaoimh
Attendance: 18,399
Referee: Olatz Rivera Olmedo (Spain)
25 October Euro 2025 play-offs Georgia  0–6  Republic of Ireland Tbilisi, Georgia
20:00 GET Report
Stadium: M. Meskhi II Stadium
Attendance: 1,440
Referee: Emanuela Rusta (Albania)
29 October Euro 2025 play-offs Republic of Ireland  3–0
(9–0 agg.)		  Georgia Dublin, Ireland
19:30 GMT
Report Stadium: Tallaght Stadium
Attendance: 8,745
Referee: Katalin Kulcsár (Hungary)
29 November Euro 2025 play-offs Wales  v  Republic of Ireland Cardiff, Wales
19:15 GMT Report Stadium: Cardiff City Stadium
3 December Euro 2025 play-offs Republic of Ireland  v  Wales Dublin, Ireland
19:30 GMT Report Stadium: Aviva Stadium


Coaching staff

[edit]

Current coaching staff

[edit]

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

Role Name
Head coach Republic of Ireland Eileen Gleeson
Assistant coach Republic of Ireland Colin Healy
Assistant coach Republic of Ireland Emma Byrne
Assistant coach Wales Rhys Carr
Performance coach Republic of Ireland Ivi Casagrande

Manager history

[edit]

Players

[edit]

Current squad

[edit]

The following players were named to the squad for the UEFA Women's Euro 2025 qualifying play-offs matches against Georgia on 25 and 29 October 2024.[34][35]

Caps and goals updated as of 29 October 2024 after the match against  Georgia.

No. Pos. Player Date of birth (age) Caps Goals Club
1 1GK Courtney Brosnan (1995-11-10) 10 November 1995 (age 28) 40 0 England Everton
16 1GK Grace Moloney (1993-04-01) 1 April 1993 (age 31) 7 0 England London City Lionesses
23 1GK Sophie Whitehouse (1996-10-10) 10 October 1996 (age 28) 0 0 England Charlton Athletic
2 2DF Jessie Stapleton (2005-02-07) 7 February 2005 (age 19) 9 1 England West Ham United
4 2DF Caitlin Hayes (1995-09-22) 22 September 1995 (age 29) 16 2 Scotland Celtic
5 2DF Niamh Fahey (1987-10-13) 13 October 1987 (age 37) 113 1 England Liverpool
7 2DF Diane Caldwell (1988-09-11) 11 September 1988 (age 36) 102 4 Switzerland Zürich Frauen
12 2DF Anna Patten (1999-04-20) 20 April 1999 (age 25) 8 1 England Aston Villa
13 2DF Aoife Mannion (1995-09-24) 24 September 1995 (age 29) 11 1 England Manchester United
3 3MF Eva Magnan (2004-09-15) 15 September 2004 (age 20) 0 0 Republic of Ireland Cork City
6 3MF Tyler Toland (2001-08-08) 8 August 2001 (age 23) 20 1 England Blackburn Rovers
10 3MF Denise O'Sullivan (1994-02-04) 4 February 1994 (age 30) 117 21 United States North Carolina Courage
11 3MF Katie McCabe (captain) (1995-09-21) 21 September 1995 (age 29) 91 29 England Arsenal
14 3MF Heather Payne (2000-01-20) 20 January 2000 (age 24) 46 2 England Everton
15 3MF Ellen Molloy (2004-06-05) 5 June 2004 (age 20) 6 0 England Sheffield United
17 3MF Lily Agg (1993-12-17) 17 December 1993 (age 30) 20 3 England Birmingham City
22 3MF Isibeal Atkinson (2001-07-17) 17 July 2001 (age 23) 16 0 England Crystal Palace
8 4FW Marissa Sheva (1997-04-22) 22 April 1997 (age 27) 9 1 United States Portland Thorns
9 4FW Amber Barrett (1996-01-10) 10 January 1996 (age 28) 46 7 Belgium Standard Liège
18 4FW Kyra Carusa (1995-11-14) 14 November 1995 (age 28) 29 9 United States San Diego Wave
19 4FW Abbie Larkin (2005-04-27) 27 April 2005 (age 19) 20 1 England Crystal Palace
20 4FW Leanne Kiernan (1999-04-27) 27 April 1999 (age 25) 37 4 England Liverpool
21 4FW Julie-Ann Russell (1991-03-28) 28 March 1991 (age 33) 64 7 Republic of Ireland Galway United

Recent call-ups

[edit]

The following players have also been called up to the Republic of Ireland squad within the 12 months previous to November 2024.

Pos. Player Date of birth (age) Caps Goals Club Latest call-up
GK Katie Keane (2006-07-27) 27 July 2006 (age 18) 0 0 Republic of Ireland Athlone Town v.  Georgia, 25 October 2024
DF Louise Quinn (1990-06-17) 17 June 1990 (age 34) 121 16 England Birmingham City v.  Georgia, 25 October 2024 INJ
DF Megan Campbell (1993-06-28) 28 June 1993 (age 31) 51 4 England London City Lionesses v.  France, 16 July 2024
DF Chloe Mustaki (1995-07-29) 29 July 1995 (age 29) 8 0 England Bristol City v.  Northern Ireland, 5 December 2023
DF Hayley Nolan (1997-03-07) 7 March 1997 (age 27) 3 0 England Crystal Palace v.  Northern Ireland, 5 December 2023
MF Megan Connolly (1997-03-07) 7 March 1997 (age 27) 57 4 Italy Lazio v.  Georgia, 25 October 2024 INJ
MF Ruesha Littlejohn (1990-07-03) 3 July 1990 (age 34) 83 6 England London City Lionesses v.  France, 16 July 2024
MF Jessica Ziu (2002-06-06) 6 June 2002 (age 22) 18 0 England West Ham United v.  France, 16 July 2024 INJ
MF Lucy Quinn (1993-09-29) 29 September 1993 (age 31) 24 5 England Birmingham City v.  Sweden, 4 June 2024
MF Erin McLaughlin (2003-03-08) 8 March 2003 (age 21) 3 0 England Portsmouth v.  Sweden, 4 June 2024
MF Jessica Fitzgerald (2006-07-12) 12 July 2006 (age 18) 0 0 Republic of Ireland Peamount United v.  Wales, 27 February 2024
MF Jamie Finn (1998-04-21) 21 April 1998 (age 26) 20 0 England Birmingham City v.  Italy, 23 February 2024 INJ
MF Sinead Farrelly (1989-11-16) 16 November 1989 (age 34) 8 0 Retired v.  Northern Ireland, 5 December 2023 RET
MF Freya Healy (2007-11-05) 5 November 2007 (age 17) 0 0 Republic of Ireland Peamount United v.  Northern Ireland, 5 December 2023
FW Emily Murphy (2003-03-02) 2 March 2003 (age 21) 5 0 United States Wake Forest University v.  France, 16 July 2024
FW Emily Whelan (2002-08-22) 22 August 2002 (age 22) 9 0 Scotland Glasgow City v.  England, 9 April 2024
FW Saoirse Noonan (1999-07-13) 13 July 1999 (age 25) 4 1 Scotland Celtic v.  Northern Ireland, 5 December 2023
FW Ellen Dolan (2006-06-30) 30 June 2006 (age 18) 0 0 Republic of Ireland Peamount United v.  Northern Ireland, 5 December 2023

Notes:

  • INJ – Withdrew due to injury.
  • PRE – Preliminary squad / standby.
  • RET – Retired.

Records

[edit]
Main page: Category:Republic of Ireland women's international footballers
  • Statistics correct as of 29 October 2024.
  • Active players in bold.

Competitive record

[edit]

FIFA Women's World Cup

[edit]
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 1991 did not qualify 4 2 1 1 6 3 +3
Sweden 1995 did not enter did not enter
United States 1999 did not qualify 6 3 1 2 8 4 +4
United States 2003 6 4 0 2 18 7 +11
China 2007 8 1 1 6 3 15 −12
Germany 2011 8 4 1 3 12 10 +2
Canada 2015 10 5 2 3 13 9 +4
France 2019 8 4 1 3 10 6 +4
AustraliaNew Zealand 2023 Group Stage 3 0 1 2 1 3 –2 9 6 2 1 27 4 +23
Brazil 2027 To be determined To be determined
Total Group Stage 3 0 1 2 1 3 –2 55 27 8 20 91 55 +36
*Draws include knockout matches decided on penalty kicks.

UEFA Women's Championship

[edit]
UEFA Women's Championship record Qualifying record
Year Result GP W D* L GS GA GP W D* L GS GA
1984 did not qualify 6 2 1 3 6 14
Norway 1987 6 2 0 4 4 17
Germany 1989 4 0 1 3 1 8
Denmark 1991 4 2 1 1 6 3
Italy 1993 4 1 0 3 1 12
Germany 1995 did not enter did not enter
NorwaySweden 1997 did not qualify 8 6 0 2 20 10
Germany 2001 6 2 1 3 6 12
England 2005 8 5 3 0 35 5
Finland 2009 10 4 1 5 11 18
Sweden 2013 8 3 0 5 8 11
Netherlands 2017 8 3 0 5 17 14
England 2022 8 4 1 3 11 10
Switzerland 2025 to be determined to be determined
Total - - - - - - - 80 34 9 37 126 134
*Draws include knockout matches decided on penalty kicks.

UEFA Women's Nations League

[edit]
UEFA Women's Nations League record
Season Division Group Pos Pld W D L GF GA P/R RK
2023–24 B 1 1st 6 6 0 0 20 2 Rise 17th
2025–26 A To be determined
Total 18th

See also

[edit]

References

[edit]
  1. ^ "The FIFA/Coca-Cola Women's World Ranking". FIFA. 16 August 2024. Retrieved 16 August 2024.
  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. ^ a b c "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. ^ www.fifa.com https://www.fifa.com/fifaplus/en/tournaments/womens/womensworldcup/australia-new-zealand2023/articles/canada-republic-of-ireland-womens-world-cup-2023. Retrieved 29 March 2024. {{cite web}}: Missing or empty |title= (help)
  23. ^ "Women's European Qualifiers Qualifying Round - Arklow Town FC, Arklow - 28 May 2000". fai.ie. Retrieved 23 September 2023.
  24. ^ 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. ^ "Support Staff confirmed for Ireland WNT". Football Association of Ireland. 12 February 2024. Retrieved 13 February 2024.
  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 EURO 2025 Qualifying Round 1 Play-Off". Football Association of Ireland. 18 October 2024. Retrieved 19 October 2024.
  35. ^ "WNT Squad confirmed for Georgia trip". Football Association of Ireland. 22 October 2024. Retrieved 23 October 2024.
  36. ^ "Olivia O'Toole; Escaping Drugs, Fighting Inequality & Becoming Ireland's Top Scorer – Her Sport". 6 March 2020.[dead link]
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