EURO 2025 QUALIFIER
Republic of Ireland v France, SuperValu Páirc Uí Chaoímh, 6pm
TV
Watch live coverage and all the build-up on RTÉ 2 and the RTÉ Player from 5:30pm.
RADIO
Listen to live commentary on RTÉ 2fm’s Game On from 6pm.
ONLINE
Follow a live blog on rte.ie/sport and the RTÉ News App.
WEATHER
The forecast is for a cloudy but dry day in Cork, with temperatures of around 17c come kick-off time, with a light breeze.
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IRELAND WITH PLENTY TO PLAY FOR
It doesn’t get any easier for Eileen Glesson’s side. Fresh from their 2-1 defeat to England in Carrow Road, it’s the second highest team in the FIFA world rankings, France who travel to Cork for the final game in the EURO Qualification League Group A.
Ireland have lost all five games in the campaign to date, not surprising given the nature of the draw saw them grouped with three of the best teams in the world, but there were positives to take from the defeat in England.
Julie-Ann Russell’s late consolation goal could prove to be crucial for the European play-offs in the autumn, helping to improve their overall ranking status, which feeds into the seeding system for the play-offs.
Ireland are looking to remain ahead of Poland in the rankings to ensure they hold onto seeded status. That would improve their hopes of securing a kinder draw in the play-off final, assuming they negotiate a two-legged semi-final against a team from League C.
Any kind of result against France would go a long way to ensuring that they do just that and even just scoring could help, with the possibility of goal difference deciding things very much a concern.
NO FREE HITS DESPITE FRENCH QUALIFICATION
France come into the game having already secured their place at Euro 2025.
Their 2-1 victory at home to Sweden was enough to ensure that they will be in the draw for the finals in Switzerland next summer.
However anyone expected Les Bleus to take their foot off the gas now that qualification is secured will be disappointed as Herve Renard’s side will quickly turn their attentions to the Olympic Games in their home country.
With expectations high going into the summer games, the clash with Ireland will be Renard’s last chance to fine tune things before the get the tournament underway against Colombia on 25 July.
Marie-Antoinette Katoto, who scored the winning goal against Sweden to ensure Euro qualification, was pleased with the nature of her side’s victory but admitted that already, their focus is turning to the Olympics.
“We had a very difficult group, I think we did not expect to perform so well in this group, in which there are still the vice-world champions, reigning European champions (England) and the third-placed team from the last World Cup (Sweden) , big nations.
“Ireland is also a very good team, it is not going to be easy on Tuesday evening.
“I want France to shine this summer. After the 2019 World Cup, I think we really mustn’t mess up. In our minds, we’re really not going to mess up.
“We really want to do something big to move up a gear in France. We don’t feel any pressure, we’re very relaxed, we know what we have to do.”
McCABE RETURNS FROM SUSPENSION
Ireland have no new injuries to report going into the game and talismanic captain Katie McCabe is once again available for selection, having been suspended for the trip to England.
Ireland’s record against the French is nothing to write home about with one draw and 12 defeats from the 13 games that they’ve played, but McCabe is hoping that a return to Cork for the first time since 2011 will help lift her side.
“I’m really excited,” McCabe said. “I’ve never played in Cork before at senior level. I’ve heard good things from the older girls, of course, Denise O’Sullivan in particular.
“We’re not in Dublin for the first time in quite some time, I’m excited. It’s been a nice feel around the town, going in and seeing our Cork fans, and I’m just excited to see…I think it’s 15,000 tickets sold. I hope that everyone turns up – and the rain stays away tomorrow night – to cheer us on for our final game, which hopefully will be a good one.
“I’ve not been to Cork in ages. That’s pretty bad to say, to be honest, but I love the place. I’ve got so many friends from Cork and the people are so friendly around the city, wishing us well.
“I’m excited to see the fans. The Cork girls have been saying nothing but good things so I can’t wait to come out and play in front of the fans tomorrow.”
IRELAND SQUAD
Goalkeepers: Courtney Brosnan (Everton), Grace Moloney (London City Lionesses), Sophie Whitehouse (Lewes)
Defenders: Jessie Stapleton (West Ham United), Diane Caldwell (FC Zurich), Louise Quinn (Birmingham City), Niamh Fahey (Liverpool), Caitlin Hayes (Celtic), Aoife Mannion (Manchester United), Anna Patten (Aston Villa), Megan Campbell (London City Lionesses)
Midfielders: Katie McCabe (Arsenal), Denise O’Sullivan (North Carolina Courage), Megan Connolly (Bristol City), Lily Agg (Birmingham City), Ruesha Littlejohn (London City Lionesses), Tyler Toland (Blackburn Rovers), Jess Ziu (West Ham United), Izzy Atkinson (Crystal Palace), Eva Mangan (Cork City), Julie-Ann Russell (Galway United)
Forwards: Amber Barrett (Standard Liege), Leanne Kiernan (Liverpool), Abbie Larkin (Crystal Palace), Emily Murphy (Wake Forest University), Marissa Sheva (Portland Thorns)
Watch Republic of Ireland v France in Women’s Euro 2025 qualifying on Tuesday from 5.30pm on RTÉ2 and RTÉ Player. Follow a live blog on rte.ie/sport and the RTÉ News app and listen to live commentary on 2fm’s Game On
Watch Republic of Ireland v Germany in the UEFA Women’s U19 Championship on Thursday from 11.50am on RTÉ News Channel and RTÉ Player
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