Ireland Women v Cymru Women
Tuesday 27th February 2024
Tallaght Stadium
Embed from Getty ImagesJust before the new dawn starts for Cymru Women, there was the small matter of taking on Ireland in the home of Shamrock Rovers. With new manager Rhian Wilkinson watching from the stands, Jon Grey took charge of this friendly against 24th ranked Ireland. 32nd ranked Cymru was looking for their first win in eight matches, going back to April last year when they beat Northern Ireland 4-1 in Cardiff.
Embed from Getty ImagesAfter the positives taken from the 0-0 draw against Germany in December, Cymru was hoping for more of the same before the Euro/Nations League draw next week (5th March). I am still waiting to hear back from NASA on how qualification works for Euro 2025, good luck explaining that fully on the podcast Dai and Ruth!
Embed from Getty ImagesThe match started with Cymru already in 5th gear, playing at 100 mph. You could tell from kick off that they were not seeing this as a run of the mill friendly, they were out to impress.
This approach didn’t take long to pay off, when the deadlock was broken in the seventh minute by who else than the great Jess Fishlock.
Embed from Getty ImagesFrom the first corner of the match Rachel Rowe headed just wide of the far post where the incoming Sophie Ingle pressured the Irish goalkeeper to parry the ball out to Hayley Ladd. Ladd then fired the ball across the six-yard box where Jess Fishlock was left unmarked to fire home.
Embed from Getty ImagesThis fantastic start for Cymru was almost undone just after the quarter of an hour mark, when an Irish attack brought out an amazing double point blank save from the always excellent Olivia Clark. The first save was outstanding in its own right, managing to clear a header from just five yards out, which looked certain to settle in the back of the Cymru net. Then an even more spectacular save came a split second later when the ball, having been cleared off the line, was fired straight back in. Clark leapt off the ground to block the shot. A better double save would be hard to find.
Embed from Getty ImagesThis spurred on the rest of the team, when six minutes later Cymru made it two. A cross from Rhiannon Roberts was flicked on in the box by Elise Hughes to Lilly Woodham, who fired a stunning left footed shot into the top corner. A great goal by Woodham becoming the second Seattle player to score tonight.
Embed from Getty ImagesThe second half was more of the same from Cymru, dealing with every attack with ease, Clark rarely troubled. Even when the younger players came on after the hour, they all played with confidence. A special mention goes to Lois Joel who came on for her first cap.
Embed from Getty ImagesA very entertaining friendly ended 2-0, with nothing but positives from Jon Grey’s match in charge. On to the Rhian Wilkinson era and hopefully a first tournament for this exciting squad.
Thanks to @StephenJBaker for the match report.