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Date Time League Season
21 September 2021 7:00 pm Women's Senior 2021/22

Match Report

Ireland Women end winless streak against Australia

The Republic of Ireland Women ended their seven-game winless streak, with a 3-2 International friendly win over Australia at Tallaght Stadium tonight.

Goals from Lucy Quinn, Denise O’Sullivan and Louise Quinn helped guide Vera Pauw’s side to a one-goal victory.

This match seemed to be a daunting task for Ireland as The Matilda’s are ranked 11th in the world, however The Girls in Green could not have gotten off to a better start. With just three minutes played, debutant Lucy Quinn fired home a free-kick to give Ireland a surprise lead. 

After Quinn’s opener, the visitors dominated the ball and grew into the game, carving out chances for Sam Kerr who came so close to heading home on her 100th cap for her nation. 

On 14 minutes they were rewarded for their play. Mary Fowler fired from distance and was fortunate to see the ball bounce awkwardly in front of Courtney Brosnan and trickle into the back of the net. 

Finally Ireland’s counter-attacking play came into fruition, when a dangerous ball from the right was deflected onto the frame of the Australian goal. Lucy Quinn was waiting for the rebound, but she failed to convert, blasting a volley over the bar. 

After a good spell of play Ireland were rewarded with some good luck. Denise O’Sullivan’s deflected effort from the edge of the area gave Vera Pauw’s team the lead once again. 

However, the momentum would swing once again. The Matildas pressed hard and forced Courtney Brosnan into making a wonderful reaction save from close range. Bronson would rue her reactions just before half-time when she dived for a ricocheted shot that looped over her head to end the first-half at 2-2. 

Once again Ireland would kick things off with an early goal. Three minutes after the restart, Louise Quinn headed home a Katie McCabe corner to make it 3-2. 

What followed was a momentous defensive performance from Ireland. Savannah McCarthy made a great double goal-line clearance and Louise Quinn followed that up with a heroic clearance just 10 minutes from time.
Vera Pauw’s women now turn their attention to the 21st October when they begin their 2023 World Cup Qualifiers against Sweden.

Ireland

16Courtney Brosnan Goalkeeper
13Aine O’Gorman Forward
5Niamh Fahey Defender
19Savannah McCarthy Midfielder
4Louise Quinn Defender 48'
11Katie McCabe Midfielder
6Jamie Finn 7 Midfielder
10Denise O’Sullivan Midfielder 23'
9Amber Barrett 18 Forward
14Heather Payne Forward
29Lucy Quinn 17 Forward 3'
1Grace Moloney Goalkeeper
23Eve Badana Goalkeeper
7Diane Caldwell 6 Defender
12Rianna Jarrett Forward
18Niamh Farrelly 9 Defender
17Emily Whelan 29 Forward
2Claire Walsh Defender
28Aoibheann Clancy Midfielder
26Clare Shine Forward

Australia

Mackenzie Arnold Goalkeeper
Clare Polkinghorne Defender
Alanna Kennedy Defender
Courtney Nevin Defender
Tameka Yallop Midfielder
Chloe Logarzo Midfielder
Kyra Cooney-Cross Midfielder
Steph Catley Defender
Emily Gielnik Forward
Sam Kerr Forward
Mary Fowler Forward
Lydia Williams Goalkeeper
Clare Wheeler Midfielder
Emma Checker Defender
Angela Beard Defender
Charlotte Grant Defender
  • 90'

    Three minutes of injury time to be played

  • 90'

    Leanne Kiernan and Diane Caldwell replace Jamie Finn and Heather Payne

  • 85'

    A crucial final 5 for Vera Pauw's side. Discipline and concentration is key now to see out the game

  • 80'

    Louise Quinn makes a heroic challenge in the box to clear an Australian cross

  • 79'

    Ireland insisting on going forward searching for more goals despite the slender lead

  • 74'

    Sam Kerr is booked for a foul on Savannah McCarthy

  • 72'

    Emily Whelan replaces Lucy Quinn

  • 70'

    Ireland win a free inside their own half from a handball. The Matildas look frustrated

  • 65'

    Ireland have remained disciplined in the second-half, Australia have made numerous unforced errors.

  • 60'

    Niamh Farrelly is on

  • 60'

    Amber Barrett comes off

  • 59'

    Ireland maintaining possession very well since regaining the lead

  • 53'

    Sam Kerr's effort is deflected out for a corner. The Australian captain still in search of a goal on her 100th cap

  • 48'

    Louise Quinn heads home to give Ireland the lead for the third time

  • 48'

    Ireland win an early corner

  • 45'

    The second-half gets underway

  • 45'

    It's level again! A deflected effort loops over Brosnon. 2-2

  • 43'

    Half-time approaching and Ireland remain ahead. The Matilda's have dominated the majority of possession but Ireland have been patient and hurt them on the break.

  • 35'

    Savannah McCarthy makes a great goal-line clearance

  • 27'

    Courtney Brosnon pulls off an incredible reaction save from close range to keep Ireland's lead intact

  • 23'

    GOAL! Denise O\'Sullivan fires Ireland back ahead

  • 22'

    Heather Payne has a strike inside the box saved after getting in behind The Matilda's defence

  • 20'

    Lucy Quinn misses a glorious chance. Striking a rebound well over the bar from close range. Ireland proving to be dangerous on the counter

  • 18'

    Brosnon catches a point-blank header from Kerr with ease

  • 16'

    Niam Fahey goes close with a header but can't find the target

  • 14'

    It's all square! Courtney Brosnan spills an Australian effort into her goal. 1-1

  • 11'

    Sam Kerr puts a header wide for Australia. The Matildas have grown into this game despite conceding early

  • 7'

    Australia win a free-kick after a McCabe foul

  • 3'

    GOAL! Lucy Quinn scores from a free-kick on her international debut

  • 2'

    Amber Barrett forces a great save from the Australia goalkeeper

  • 1'

    The hosts start proceedings at Tallaght

  • Irish team news is in

  • Tonight's game will be a difficult one for Ireland as they faced ninth ranked Australia

  • Hello and welcome to FinalWhistle.ie's coverage of tonight's women's friendly between Ireland and Australia. Kick-off from Tallaght Stadium is at 7pm

Past Meetings

(International Friendly)
2 - 1
U21 Friendly
Dama de Noche Football Centre, Marbella

Ireland v Australia

Ground

Tallaght Stadium
Tallaght Stadium, Whitestown Way, Tallaght, Dublin 24, D24 XC9W

Seán is a final year Journalism student in DCU.