'A very balanced tie' - Ireland and Wales are now different teams, insists Gleeson

In early 2024, Gleeson’s charges fell to a 2-0 defeat to Wales at Tallaght Stadium in what was the first game of her tenure as permanent head coach of the senior side.

Ireland’s Megan Connolly and Jessica Fishlock of Wales. Pic: Ryan Byrne/Inpho

When Eileen Gleeson and Ireland faced Wales earlier this year in a friendly, there was little of note on the line other than pride - but there will be plenty to play for next week when the sides meet again.

Gleeson’s charges fell to a 2-0 defeat at Tallaght Stadium in what was the first game of her tenure as permanent head coach of the senior side, though they were without the likes of Denise O’Sullivan, Anna Patten and Aoife Mannion for that tie.

All three are back for this window - with Mannion’s return a boost despite being a doubt prior to the squad being named. Defender Louise Quinn misses out through injury but will be involved in the camp.

Since February’s friendly loss against the Dragons, Ireland have played in League A of the Nations League - facing the likes of England, Sweden and France home and away. They also dismissed Georgia 9-0 on aggregate in the previous round of the Euro 2025 play-offs.

Wales, meanwhile, played in League B of the Nations League and topped a group that included Ukraine, Croatia and Kosovo. They also squeaked past Slovakia 3-2 on aggregate in the previous round of the play-off series.

“We’ve both had different routes and challenges at different times,” Gleeson admitted. “We obviously had tougher games in League A when they were in League B. They potentially had the harder game in the play-offs compared to us. They beat us in Tallaght.

“But we’re a different team to where we were in February. They’re also a different team compared to where they were in February and under new management. So it’s a very evenly balanced tie.” 

One of the absentees from Ireland’s squad is striker Saoirse Noonan.

The former Cork GAA star is on the stand-by list despite featuring for Celtic in the Champions League and scoring nine goals in 11 league outings for the Glasgow giants. But Gleeson believes her omission from the initial squad underlines the depth of options available to her.

“It is a selection process, so it does show the depth of the squad,” the Ireland boss said. “The forward line has changed as well, we have Kyra (Carusa), we have Julie-Ann (Russell), they have been playing really well, we have Amber involved.

“Saoirse is on the standby list. She has gone to Glasgow Celtic and she is getting minutes there and scoring some goals but there are still levels we want her to push to. But she is in the conversation. It is reflective of how the squad is developing.” 

Patten is the only Irish player to score in the WSL so far this season in England - though the lack of goals grabbed by Irish players in the English top-flight does not concern Gleeson.

“No, I am not concerned,” she added. “It is creating those chances, it is not easy to score in international football. We are happy with the squad and we are happy with the threats that Julie-Ann (Russell) and Leanne (Kiernan) give us.

“Kyra (Carusa) brings a different element and we are happy with the combinations, the characteristics, skills and hopefully then we will put it in the back of the net.

“It is good that we have goals across the squad.” Ireland are due to play the first leg in Cardiff next Friday, the same day as the General Election back home. While Gleeson has not yet made a provision for players and staff of hers who are eligible to vote, the FAI said they will be ‘looking’ into the matter at least.

The outcome of that is likely to be tight, as the Girls in Green’s clash against Wales will also be. Penalties may even be required to separate the sides.

Gleeson revealed her side will be practicing spot-kicks - and her side have been boosted with goalkeeper Courtney Brosnan available for both legs.

The Everton stopper missed the first-leg of the routine triumph over Georgia through suspension.

“I can’t give Courtney enough praise,” Gleeson added. “She’s phenomenal and she’s fantastic for Everton. She’s a game-winner. There might be an emphasis on strikers and scoring goals but the amount of time Courtney has kept us in games with some great saves.

“She’s really developed into a top-class keeper so we’re super-lucky to have Courtney, she’s a huge player for us.”