| Megan Connolly 9' | 1-0 | |
| Denise O'Sullivan 56' | 2-0 | |
| Jamie Finn 71' |
Details
| Date | Time | League | Season |
|---|---|---|---|
| 26 October 2021 | 4:15 pm | Women's World Cup Qualification | 2021/22 |
Match Report
Ireland Women deliver the goods in Finland
Ireland struck three points towards World Cup qualification this evening as they put a halt to Finland’s ten-game unbeaten run in Helsinki.
A Megan Connolly freekick was cancelled out by Adelina Engman early in the second half, but a poacher’s goal from Denise O’Sullivan ensured The Girls In Green came away from the match 2-1 victors.
In her last game as assistant coach, Eileen Gleeson got a send-off she won’t forget, as the triumph serves Ireland well in the opening exchanges in Group A with fixtures against Slovakia and Georgia still to come.
From the get go the visitors exerted every ounce of pressure possible, Jamie Finn and Katie McCabe, with O’Sullivan propelling forward in attack.
The first mark on the score-card came with just nine minutes surpassed, Connolly curling a ball into the top left corner of Finland’s net.
Aine O’Gorman put a stellar shift in at the back on her 100th appearance in the green shirt, as did Galway United’s Savannah McCarthy, Birmingham skipper Louise Quinn and Liverpool captain Niamh Fahey. The trio were major contenders throughout the nervy components of the game, they limited the Finns to only one concession.
That strike surfaced six minutes into the second half when Adelina Engman volleyed a cross delivered to her in Ireland’s box to beat Courtney Brosnan in net.
McCabe off the pitch receiving treatment when the incident occurred, the target marked Arsenal star was keen to impress when she returned.
Despite feeling like an eternity more, just minutes later Ireland equalised when O’Sullivan capitalised on a dropped ball by the home outfit’s keeper to head the ball into the back of the net from the far post.
An intensity ramp up followed as the hosts looked to regain a share of the spoils and Vera Pauw’s group attempted to retain their lead.
There were no signs of pulling back however, Rianna Jarret entering the fray for Lucy Quinn in the 74th minute.
Much like Ireland in the Sweden game, Finland gave their opposition everything they had in the closing quarter, but to Ireland’s delight it wasn’t enough to compromise the score-line.
Timeline
| 6. Megan Connolly | 9' | |
| 10. Denise O'Sullivan | 56' | |
| 8. Jamie Finn | 71' | |
| Lucy Quinn Rianna Jarrett |
71' |
Past Meetings
 
4 - 1UEFA Women's EURO Qualification
Helsinki Olympic Stadium Finland v Republic of Ireland |
0 - 2Women's Senior
Tasos Markos Stadium Finland v Republic of Ireland |
0 - 2UEFA Women's EURO Qualification
Tallaght Stadium Republic of Ireland v Finland |
1 - 0Women's Senior
Tasos Markos Stadium Finland v Republic of Ireland |
|
(International Friendly)
0 - 0Women's Senior
Iveagh Ground Republic of Ireland v Finland |
Ground
| Helsinki Olympic Stadium |
|---|
| Helsinki Olympic Stadium, 1, Paavo Nurmen tie, Taka-Töölö, Southern major district, Helsinki, Helsinki sub-region, Uusimaa, Southern Finland, Mainland Finland, 00250, Finland |
Alanna Cunnane
Alanna is currently pursuing her studies in journalism at Dublin City University and writes regularly for her local media outlets in Sligo.
Ireland have won!
The minutes have surpassed, just a Brosnan kick out to come
Fahy again a brick wall their to keep Finland out, edgy times in Helsinki
Ireland free kick out on the edge of their own box
Niamh Fahy meets a cross in with her head but it comes back out to Finland. McCarthy then does the same
Ireland knock the ball of Finland and it's a Brosnan goal kick with 3 and a half of the added time left
4 added minutes shown by the fourth official
Chance PAYNE! Runs the endline and gets a shot off but its out for a corner
Savannah McCarthy and McCabe clear the ball away
RTE award The Player of the Match accolade to Denise O'Sullivan
Another substitution for Finland as their top scorer comes off
A header from Finland sees Brosnan make another crucial save
Brosnan out of position it's Niamh Fahy who scrambles the ball away off the line to keep Ireland's lead
Finland roll on a sub as Sanio comes on, Oling makes way
Brosnan gets a fist to the ball once again and has been a huge player given all the possession is down her side of the pitch in the last few minutes
Brosnan plucks a cross out of the air to get Ireland the ball back
The noise level in the stadium increasing with the momentum as the match progresses
Rianna Jarret coming on for Lucy Quinn
Yellow for Jamie Finn
Freekick Ireland as a foul is called on Finn
McCabe shoots from distance but it sails wide
Brosnan picks up the ball after a shaky few minutes for Ireland
McCabe's bullet is saved as Finland clear their lines
Finland were in had it not been for Megan Connolly there! She's putting in a shift all over the pitch
GOAL IRELAND! A mistake by the Finnish goalkeeper allows Denise O'Sullivan to capitalise off the drop and head the ball into the back of the net. Right place right time for her 13th international goal
Katie McCabe back on the pitch just as another chance from Finland veers wide
1-1! As McCabe was receiving treatment off the pitch a 10 woman Ireland concede after a cross into the box is met on the volley by Adelina Engman
Katie McCabe down injured in some worrying scenes for Ireland as Vera Pauw looks on with concern
Connolly picking up a knock there
The second half has kicked off in Finland
Brosnan almost cost a chance there as she's found off her line but the defensive line make up for the mishap
1 minute of added time announced
Finland were in there and Brosnan makes a save but its deemed offside after the fact
Payne drives at the Finland defence and tries to play in O\'Sullivan but its out for an ireland corner
McCabe launches a cross into the box and Finn gets a head to it but it's collected by the Finnish keeper
O'Sullivan wins a free on the halfway line. Seems to have contracted a leg injury in the process
Kuikka heads the ball just shy of Ireland\'s crossbar there and out for Brosnan to kick out
Westerland to take this corner kick for Finland
O'Sullivan draws the foul beside Ireland's own corner flag to get The Girls in Green out of a tricky spot
Finland gaining some momentum in the last few minutes as Ireland try to gain possession back
Finland freekick too far out to hit but it'll be crossed. Met with a header but the ball trickles wide
Finland on the break as McCarthy chases down Finland's record goalscorer
Ball trickles out and it's Brosnan's to play from a goal kick
And the consequence is yet another Finish corner
Kuikka sails that one over but referee says it's taken a touch off an Irish shirt and the ball is out for another corner
McCabe covers well there in her defensive duties and forces a corner for the opposition
McCabe involves O'Sullivan in her one, two and makes it into the box but can't quite get an effort towards goal
Kick out for Brosnan
Aine O'Gorman takes a throw in, its her 100th appearance for the Girls In Green today
Ireland showing they can defend well too, putting a half to the Finish attacking strives in the last few moments
Spot kick again for Ireland, McCabe takes but its dealt with
Goal Connolly! You don't save those, she curls the ball into the top left corner to give Ireland the 1-0 lead
Ball breaks to Ireland and while O\'Sullivan and Payne release efforts there\'s a free kick called instead. Right within Lucy Quinn, Megan Connolly and Katie McCabe\'s range
Louise Quinn gets a touch to it but it's cleared off the line by Finland. Another corner from Ireland results after an initial clearance
Corner to Ireland as Ireland's sustained pressure has Finland under the pin early on in Helsinki. Katie McCabe to take
O'Sullivan pings one into the box and it finds Jamie Finn who swings the ball out to O'Gorman for a shot. Finland clear
First chance of the game, Finlands attempt nearly hops over Brosnan but loops out over the endline instead
Underway!
Speaking on the upcoming outing, striker Lucy Quinn is optimistic that the lessons learned will stand them in good stead this time around. “I think we could have got more out of the Sweden game but that’s the way it is. Hopefully now it will be a big confidence boost for the whole squad” she says. “It has only made us more hungry to go out and get three points the next game.” “It’s my first time travelling with the squad and obviously it’s a massive occasion. We’re all really up for it and personally I don’t want to come home empty handed at all.”
The matchday squad whittled down to 23 before taking to the plane however, there were some people to miss out on the trip. Amanda Budden, Éabha O'Mahony, Harriet Scott and Jessica Ziu amongst those, they will have to cheer their teammates on from home.
A sigh of relief was signalled from the camp in the run up when Denise O'Sullivan was cleared to travel after her suspected arm injury which she had picked up against the Swedes turned out to be less serious than first anticipated.
The home side are placed 25th in FIFA’s World rankings, eight spots higher than that of Ireland’s 33rd position. Acclimatised to facing intense opposition at this point however, the Girls in Green will put all of that aside coming into this fixture.
There Louise Quinn’s own goal was the only strike of the night, an impressive result given Sweden’s formidable reputation.
Thursday’s 1-0 loss to Sweden still fresh in their rear view mirrors, Vera Pauw’s outfit will be hoping to bounce back with a win today in order to keep their dreams of a first major tournament qualification alive.
The Republic of Ireland grace Helsinki this evening to take on Finland in the second of their 2023 FIFA Women\'s World Cup Qualifiers. The game, brought to you here by Alanna Cunnane and kicks off at 4:15pm Irish time, live on RTÉ2.