Wales 1 Ireland 1: As it happened

Ireland manager Eileen Gleeson reflects on the draw 

“I thought from the start that it would be an evenly-matched battle and that’s what we saw. I thought we opened well and then they were a bit more dominant for maybe 15 minutes. So it ebbed and flowed but we’re happy enough to come away and still be in it… you know, taking it home. 

“It’s football and mistakes happen. We can’t just discuss one mistake, it’s an overall performance – 90 minutes. We’re disappointed to concede the goal first and foremost and it takes many moments to create that – the ball down the line, the cross in. There are lots of areas we can be better at. We conceded one and then we scored one and we go again on Tuesday.

“I thought Ruesha [Littlejohn] had a great game. She was creative in the midfield, she picks up good positions and we probably could have got her on the ball more from the build-up. I’m really proud of Ruesha, I know she always gives 100% and she’s very passionate. 

“I brought on Marissa [Sheva] for Lily [Agg] at half-time as I wanted to get a little bit more efficient on the ball in that area and Marissa is very tidy on the ball. Then it was nearly a straight swap, Leanne [Kiernan] and Julie-Ann [Russell], two runners and some fresh legs at the end from Amber [Barrett]. 

“A draw we’ve come away with, like you said it’s the 23 that we have here with us and it will take that 23 again on Tuesday night. 

“We knew they [Wales] are very physical, they’re aggressive, they won a lot of first and second balls so that will be something we have to look at. They have got some nice physical players but we knew that was where their strength was in those counter attacks. 

“I said it from the start, it’s an even game with evenly-matched profile teams and I think it will be another battle on Tuesday.

“The fans will come out and it really helps the girls. It helps us, it’s our home and we want to do our home nation proud and that’s what we will be looking to do on Tuesday.”