Ireland's route to potential first Women's Euros will be mapped in Friday's draw

“It was great to see Denise get a goal in her home county; what a servant to Irish football and I was overjoyed to give her the assist," said Julie-Ann Russell.

Tue, 16 Jul, 2024 - 21:54

John Fallon

After their epic victory against a powerhouse, Ireland must ready themselves for a playoff duel with modest opposition.

Friday’s draw in Nyon will map their route to a potential first European Championships next year in Switzerland, a couple of two-legged playoffs between October and December. Manager Eileen Gleeson will watch proceedings from afar.

The first hurdle to be navigated will be against one of the following: Montenegro, Luxembourg, North Macedonia, Belarus, Slovenia, Romania, Albania, Greece.

That list comprises the eight teams to achieve the highest results in League C, the highest in Fifa rankings terms Slovenia in 40. Ireland are currently 25.

Of those options, should Ireland draw Belarus, Uefa have decreed that their matches are played in a neutral country.

Ireland’s campaign was in the top tier of League A. Despite finishing bottom, through promotion from winning Nations League B, they were already guaranteed the playoff fallback.

Tuesday’s final set of results left Ireland in 15th place of 16, as they bettered basement side Poland on points and goal difference.

If Ireland, as expected, progress through what’s known as path one, they will meet another team – from League B – over two legs in late November to decide which of the pair advance to the finals.

Scotland, who Ireland overcame in a one-off playoff at Hampden Park to book their World Cup place in Australia last year, are amongst that tier – as are fellow neighbours Wales and Northern Ireland.

Nonetheless, local rivalries aside, they would be more palatable than a decider against Portugal, a nation situated 21 in the global standings.

Obstacles to hurdle await but not against opponents in the calibre of what they’ve faced since April. France, England and Sweden inhabited top-six status in the world, making the run of five straight defeats a tad bearable.

On the upside, in terms of momentum, they’ve gone from a side that hadn’t scored in almost seven games this year to one with four banked between stoppage time against England and this storming of Les Bleues.

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Much of the credit goes the way of Julie-Ann Russell, someone with a back catalogue of nearly stories who is finally attaining the glory her dedication merits.

“Hopefully, I’ll bring her if we qualify,” said Ireland heroine Russell about the thought of bringing her baby Rosie to the finals in July 2025. “She’s the camp baby now and the goal celebration for her is iconic now.

“It was great to see Denise get a goal in her home county; what a servant to Irish football and I was overjoyed to give her the assist.

“She is a true professional and took the goal so well, I was so happy for her, you could see it in her eyes.

“And then to score myself was extra special. My husband Kieran was here with Rosie, and all my relations. My dad is actually from Cork in Albert Road, he was beaming with joy and I’ve relations from Douglas so it was great to have them all here.

“We just believed in ourselves. We looked after the ball and going over the top we created a lot of chances against a really good side.

“I never thought I’d be playing for Ireland again so to get that call-up from Eileen for this camp was amazing.

“I need a few days to reflect and take it all in but I’m actually back to work on Thursday. Then back to the grind with Galway with a Cup semi against Wexford, so training on Thursday night.” Time off her job in Microsoft will be essential to meet her international commitments heading into the Autumn.

“You couldn’t write the story, could you?,” said Gleeson. “I've known her for years, love her and the biggest thing is her work rate.

“Right up until the end, she was double-pressing, chasing and still making the runs.” On the circuitous route to the finals that contrasting sequences of results have derived, Gleeson highlighted the bigger picture: "We never spoke about qualifying as a top two or winning the nations league but we always spoke about the next phase of reaching Switzerland 2025. This is the next phase now.

“Let’s be very clear, we’ve been front-loaded with these, so it will be nice to have a rest. Seeding in the draw is huge because we won’t have to face a League A team like Sweden in the playoffs.

“We had to be pragmatic in this campaign and we’ll try to build on all the markers.”