Mannion-ited: After FA Cup glory, Ireland defender is aiming to upset Sweden

GLORY, GLORY: Manchester United's Aoife Mannion celebrates after winning the Adobe Women's FA Cup final at Wembley Stadium. Photo credit: John Walton/PA Wire.

Manchester United are still basking in the glory of their recent FA Cup triumph, not just those on the men’s side of the club.

Almost two weeks before United ruined Manchester City’s double dreams, their women’s side showed them how it's done as they produced a stunning performance of their own to defeat Tottenham Hotspur 4-0 under the Wembley arch.

The victory was all but confirmed by the time Aoife Mannion was introduced from the substitute’s bench in the 78th minute but nonetheless she played her part in a historic win for United in front of her loyal, travelling supporters, who stood out amongst the 76,082 crowd.

“With the tickets, you were trying to get everyone together and I ended up being really lucky,” began Mannion.

“There were 25 of us who came over and we actually had a school from Ballinrobe, a family friend, and they had a big banner and that was the only way I was able to see where my family was by this banner in one of the corners, so that became the homing point.

“It’s not like it was 10 years ago where you can see faces in the crowd. It was nice to be able to see that banner, I have seen that banner when the school has been to different games, so it was nice to see that.

“It was class, an absolutely incredible experience. I had won a trophy before (an FA Cup shield with Aston Villa), but it is the first one I won in 10 years, the girls were all taking the mick out of me.

“The weather was so, so hot, quite an unusual scoreline. When does a final ever go for you in that way?

“So, it was weird to know in the last few minutes that probably we had won, unless they were going to score five goals in the space of two minutes, which was a different feeling to the end of the semi-final against Chelsea.

“It was really, really special, great experience especially for my family and my friends. But like everything, just like that, it is now just a memory and I need to chase that again.”

For now, her attention is firmly on the Republic of Ireland’s upcoming UEFA Women’s Euro 2025 qualification double-header with Sweden.

Narrow defeats away to France and at home to England leave Ireland sitting bottom of Group A3, although a playoff spot for the tournament has already been secured due to their results in their UEFA Nations League promotion winning campaign.

That, combined with Ireland’s performances in those aforementioned closely fought losses to the teams currently sitting second (England) and third (France) in the Women’s World rankings, gives Mannion and co the belief that they can get a result against the Swedes, who are sixth in those standings.

But while Ireland can also take inspiration from their 1-1 draw in Gothenburg back in April 2022 en route to qualifying for the World Cup, Mannion warned that Sweden will be a much different proposition this time around.

“When you have got a result against a team previously, it does make a massive difference in terms of the psychology of knowing what can be achieved. It’s not a massive jump to go one more,” added Mannion, who is currently studying to obtain her UEFA A coaching licence.

“That said, the game was a while back. Sweden are in a different place, we’re in a different place. Different players, they have different tactics, different style.

“They have top-class players who are used to competing at the highest level and so it’s that balancing act and knowing you’ve got a result before. Knowing you can go with that intent to get a result while respecting the opposition as well, not underestimating them.

“The scoreline was narrow against France and against England, particularly in that second half, we felt we were the ones with the impetus and really pushing, after quite a conservative first-half. We felt that we could go for it more.

“The next step for us is to see where that balance sits over a whole 90 minutes. It is difficult to play against the top, top teams in the world so you are trying to work out where you are going to pitch yourself to give yourself the best chance of getting a result and also not to get opened up.

“So, I am hoping that some of that learning can come to fruition in this camp against Sweden, but again that is not to under-estimate how good they are, they are one of the best teams in the world.”