“It’s an absolute privilege to be coming out at home with, as it stands, 25,000 tickets sold and people attending the game.”
After their 1-1 in Cardiff last Friday in the first leg of their Euro 2025 play-off, the Republic of Ireland will be the happier of the two sides after going a goal down.
But with no away goals rule it is all to play for in a winner-takes-all clash, as the Girls in Green aim to make history and become the first Irish women’s side to qualify for the European Championships.
What time is kick-off?
Ireland vs Wales kicks off at 7.30 pm at the Aviva Stadium on Tuesday, December 3.
How to watch the game?
The game is live on RTÉ2 and on the RTÉ Player, with coverage starting at 7 pm.
You can also listen to live commentary on 2fm.
The game will also be live on BBC One Wales.
Team News
Ireland manager Eileen Gleeson will be pleased with a 1-1 draw away from home, courtesy of a long-range effort from Ruesha Littlejohn which hit the crossbar and went in off the head of Welsh keeper Olivia Clark.
Louise Quinn and Aoife Mannion were already ruled out of both legs, and Gleeson is unlikely to make any changes with no new injuries.
What has been said by Ireland
Gleeson was her usual confident self at yesterday’s press conference, where she picked apart Friday’s game and looked forward to the Aviva clash which has seen 25,000 tickets sold so far.
The gaffer said:
There were certain things we were unhappy with. It was a scrappy game, a battle between two teams. We want to create more chances and score more goals. Some areas to work on but the game evolved into what we wanted it to.
It was exactly how we thought they’d set up and exactly the rotations they use in midfield, their moves, what they are strong at. It was the pictures we expected to see. I am sure they are saying the same about us.
It’s focusing on the job at hand and just what we need to do ourselves.
It’s pressure on us, it’s a pressure situation. It’s an absolute honour and we will embrace all of our support, which I’m sure as Katie said will be loud and vocal.
We look forward to that. Look, it’s an occasion. We have to manage the game and we have to be respectful to Wales and their attributes.
Captain Katie McCabe – always one to relish the physical side of the game – was unhappy with what she described as “cheap shots” during the feisty first leg.
She said: “They were cheap shots more than anything. I don’t mind going toe-to-toe with someone in a tackle but ones off the ball I’m like, ‘come on’.
“Look, whatever game they want to play, we’ll be prepared for it tomorrow. For us, I know I’m repeating myself, but we know what we have to do. We know what’s on the line and what’s at stake. We’ll be ready to leave it all out there.”
What has been said by Wales
Wales captain Angharad James said: “To play in a stadium as beautiful as this, with a crowd of 25,000, these are the games that as a little kid you dream of and to do it for Wales is special.
“I think this is probably the biggest game we have all played in. It is a huge moment for Welsh football and a huge moment for this group.
“As a group we have made sure we are focused on the task ahead and it is just another game.
“We represent Wales with such pride and passion and hopefully you can see that in our performance.
“If we execute our game plan I have every confidence we will get the result tomorrow.”
Her manager Rhian Wilkinson added: “We know Ireland in every way will be a battle.
“There’s nothing that will be given to us, and we will receive nothing for free. When you have opponents like that, you always have to prepare for more than 90 minutes, and potentially the eventuality of penalties.
“You have two equal teams, two teams that are so clear on their mandate of leaving football in a better place, and the legacy, to have that opportunity in two wonderful stadiums to battle it out for a chance to represent their country at a major tournament, what a moment.”
