Amber Barrett keeps Ireland’s World Cup dream alive

A late victory over Slovakia last night keeps Ireland’s women firmly in the hunt to challenge European champions the Netherlands for a place at next year’s World Cup.

Substitute Amber Barrett rescued the ambitions of Colin Bell’s side of becoming the first Ireland team to reach a major tournament when she blasted home the crucial striker with four minutes remaining at Tallaght Stadium.

Facing the prospect of dropping two precious points to the group’s basement nation after Ireland goalkeeper Marie Hourihan’s own-goal gifted Slovakia an equaliser 19 minutes from end, Bell threw Barrett on five minutes later to salvage the day.