Slaying of Ireland key to Welsh delivering on mandate

FULFILLING MANDATE: Wales manager Rhian Wilkinson insists she’s plotting to fulfil her ‘mandate’ of Euro qualification by wrecking Ireland’s quest to reach back-to-back major tournaments. Picture: Dan Mullan/Getty Images

Wales manager Rhian Wilkinson insists she’s plotting to fulfil her ‘mandate’ of Euro qualification by wrecking Ireland’s quest to reach back-to-back major tournaments.

The former Canadian international was in the Tallaght Stadium stand in February when her Dragons slayed Ireland 2-0 in a friendly.

She was appointed that day and watched on as Jon Grey completed his caretaker role by overseeing an impressive victory.

Since then, Wales have topped their Euro League group on an unbeaten streak of four wins and two draws, finishing three points ahead of Ukraine.

That finish set up a playoff semi-final clash with Slovakia, against whom they overturned a first-leg deficit to prevail 3-2 in extra-time.

It’s back to Cardiff City’s Stadium on Friday to host their Celtic cousins. Like Ireland, they reached the playoffs for the last World Cup but, unlike them, they fell short by losing to Switzerland.

“From the beginning, part of my mandate was to qualify for the Euros,” said Wilkinson about her aspiration to lead Wales to a first qualification.

“I don’t think we’ve ever hidden from that and part of my mandate also is building a legacy that’s incredible and very special.

“We know the importance of major tournaments and what they can do, but what this team has already done can’t be ignored. I think that’s really important because they do carry a lot of the weight of the past with them, and they don’t need to.” 

On the opposition, Ireland, she said: “It’s a brand new challenge. We know that they’re beatable because of the game in February, but equally, we’ll have to be better than we were in February to beat them again.

“We’ve both earned the right to be here and to be vying against one another for this incredible opportunity.

“We’re similarly ranked and I’m excited about an opportunity to challenge ourselves against a really worthy opponent that has beaten France recently and has put in some good performances.

“We can’t have another dip like we had against Slovakia, so from the very first game we’ve got to make sure we’re hitting the ground running.” 

This was likely be the last opportunity for lynchpin Jess Fishlock to grace her career by sharing company with the elite in July 2025.

Her 46th goal in 156 appearances sparked the revival against the Slovaks at the ripe age of 37.

She returned from a leg injury sustained in early September to propel her country into the European lane and there’s no fears over rustiness arising from her season at Seattle Reign concluding three weeks ago.

“Jess has changed football in Wales, but she’s also changed sport in Wales,” said her manager.

“She’s given it a platform and she’s done it fearlessly. I really am in awe of her and her teammates as well.

“They do that really willingly, they stand up for their beliefs and what they think is right, and that’s a lot to ask of our athletes.”