Eileen Gleeson, the Republic of Ireland women’s football team manager, expressed her immense pride in her players following their impressive 3-1 victory over France in the Euro 2025 qualifying campaign. The Irish team, consisting of players such as Denise O’Sullivan, Julie-Ann Russell, and Anna Patten, concluded their League A campaign on a high note with this memorable win.
Despite finishing at the bottom of Group A3, the Republic of Ireland will be seeded for the play-offs as they aim to secure a spot in back-to-back major tournaments. This is a significant achievement considering the challenging opposition they faced in their group, which included France, England, and Sweden – three of the top-ranked teams in the world.
The match against France took place at Pairc Ui Chaoimh in Cork, the home ground of Cork’s gaelic games teams. France had already secured their place in the Euro 2025 finals in Switzerland next summer and made 11 changes to their lineup for this game. However, Gleeson dismissed any notions of disrespect from the French team, stating that everyone has their own objectives and her team focused solely on their own performance.
Gleeson praised her players’ work rate and effort throughout the match, acknowledging the quality of the French squad. She emphasized the progress her team has made and the valuable experience gained from playing against high-level opposition. Despite a string of defeats in the qualifying campaign, the victory against France serves as a confidence boost for the team moving forward.
As Gleeson looks ahead to the Euro 2025 play-off draw, she is optimistic about her team’s chances. The Republic of Ireland has shown significant progression, and their performance against tough opponents in the group stage has provided them with valuable lessons and experience.
Overall, this victory against France not only marks a significant moment for the Republic of Ireland women’s football team but also highlights their determination and growth as a team. The players’ hard work and dedication, coupled with Gleeson’s leadership, have set them on a positive trajectory as they continue their pursuit of qualifying for major tournaments.