Eileen Gleeson: 'Going toe-to-toe with three of the top nations in the world is going to be beneficial'

The Irish Ladies will now pin their Euro 2025 qualifying hopes on a play-off in the latter part of 2024.

BENEFICIAL: Republic of Ireland head coach Eileen Gleeson speaks to her players after their defeat to Sweden. Pic:  Stephen McCarthy/Sportsfile

Republic of Ireland boss Eileen Gleeson admitted it was a real ‘sickener’ to concede late and to fall to their second defeat in five days to Sweden.

But she also lamented the fact that home winning goal-scorer Magdalena Eriksson perhaps should not have been on the field of play at the Friends Arena to register the decisive score.