THE Republic of Ireland and Northern Ireland confirmed their Euro 2025 qualification play-off spots with victories over France and Bosnia & Herzegovina respectively on Tuesday evening.
Republic of Ireland picked up their first win in qualifying at the last opportunity with a 3-1 victory over the French at Supervalu Páirc Uí Chaoimh.
The home side opened the scoring in the 66th minute when Leanne Kiernan picked out Denise O’Sullivan, who was able to take a touch and fire into the bottom corner before Julie-Ann Russell doubled their advantage 10 minutes later.
France pulled a goal back when Kadidiatou Diani teed up Vicki Becho to strike past Courtney Brosnan but Ireland sealed their first victory in Group A3 when Anna Patten’s header deflected in for her first international goal.
The game was played in front of a large and raucous crowd of 18,399 and the place was rocking as Eileen Gleeson’s team defeated the number two ranked side in the world for the first time ever.
New men’s team manager Heimir Halgrimsson was in attendance and would have been impressed with what he saw as the Girls in Green took it to a heavily-rotated French side who made 11 changes from their victory over Sweden that guaranteed their place at next summer’s tournament.
Ireland are already guaranteed a play-off spot, while Herve Renard’s side still had the incentive of finishing above England.
Renard may not be at the helm for that tournament as he has been heavily-linked with the USA men’s job but his side were under pressure from the off with O’Sullivan and Russell coming close to opening the scoring in the first half.
However, all of the damage was done in the second half for a famous night in Cork and Ireland will wait to see their play-off opponents as they hope to travel to Switzerland next year.
Ireland’s potential play-off opponents include League C group winners Belarus, Slovenia, Greece, Romania and Albania and the three best second-placed sides Luxembourg, Montenegro and Georgia.
Meanwhile, Joely Andrews and Lauren Wade were on target as Northern Ireland earned a 2-0 win over Bosnia and Herzegovina in their final group game.
Second-half goals from two players who both signed for Hearts last week secured a victory which could give Northern Ireland a more favourable draw after they booked their place in the qualifying play-offs with a 2-0 win over Malta on Friday.
Andrews hit the crossbar with a curling effort late in the first half at Windsor Park, but then made the breakthrough early in the second half, slotting home after Casey Howe burst down the left and squared the ball.
Wade then wrapped up the win in the 67th minute. Brenna McPartlan’s pass was deflected into space and Wade took full advantage with a powerful finish.
Tanya Oxtoby’s side finished second in Group B3, which means they will have a two-legged play-off in October for the right to play in Switzerland next summer.
Of the four runners-up, they came third, meaning they will be on the unseeded side of the draw which includes the two lowest second-placed sides and the four third-placed sides and they can face three of the four group winners (excluding Switzerland) or the two highest-finishing second-placed teams.
The draw will be made on Friday and their potential opponents include group winners Scotland, Portugal or Wales or runners-up Serbia and Ukraine. This means a local derby is on the cards in what would be a wonderful occasion in the autumn.