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    Republic of Ireland vs. Cymru | Friendly match – Football – Female – A

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        Live ReportMatch Summary

        1. Match Summary

          Cymru kicked off 2024 with an impressive 2-0 friendly victory over the Republic of Ireland at Tallaght Stadium.

          Jess Fishlock broke the deadlock inside the seventh minute before Lily Woodham doubled their advantage with a wonderful first-time strike later in the first half.

          Jon Grey made one change from the last fixture against Germany in December. Hayley Ladd replaced Charlie Estcourt in the starting line up, with the Cymru interim head coach opting to stick with five in defence which proved successful in the goalless draw last time out.

          It was Cymru’s first game off the back of a difficult UEFA Women’s Nations League campaign but there were no signs of a relegation hangover in Dublin. They went ahead when the home defence failed to deal with a corner and Hayley Ladd’s cutback found an unmarked Fishlock, who fired home the opening goal.

          Elise Hughes then came close to adding a second from another corner but saw her header go wide, before Liv Clark produced an unbelievable save to somehow keep out Amber Barrett’s effort from point-blank range.

          Woodham then doubled the lead inside the 22nd minute as she got on the end of a flick on from Hughes, who caused problems for the home side throughout, and rifled in a first-time strike into the top left corner.

          Cymru were in control at the break and Grey made six changes in the second half as he handed London City Lionesses captain Lois Joel her debut. Aside from Barrett’s first-half effort, the home side failed to ask too many questions of Clark in the Cymru goal and Grey’s side were able to see out the victory. 

          New head coach Rhian Wilkinson would have been pleased with what she saw in Dublin as she gets set to manage the side for the first time in the April window. Cymru will learn their opponents for the qualifying campaign when the draw for the UEFA Women’s Euro 2025 qualifiers takes place on Tuesday 5 March in Nyon, Switzerland.

        2. 90'

          There are five additional minutes indicated by the fourth official.

        3. 87'

          Substitution

          LILY AGG replaces JESSIE STAPLETON

        4. It’s time for a Cymru debut as Lois Joel comes on in place of Fishlock for the final stages of the game.

        5. 81'

          Substitution

          N/A replaces FISHLOCK Jessica Anne

        6. 81'

          Substitution

          BARTON Kayleigh replaces HUGHES Elise

        7. 80'

          Yellow card

          HUGHES Elise

        8. 72'

          Substitution

          IZZY ATKINSON replaces KATIE MCCABE

        9. 72'

          Substitution

          JONES Carrie replaces ROWE Rachel

        10. 66'

          Ziu lets fly with an effort from the edge of the area but it’s straight down the throat of Clark, who is able to gather.

        11. Jon Grey has turned to his bench.

        12. 62'

          Substitution

          POWELL Ella replaces WOODHAM Lily

        13. 62'

          Substitution

          ESTCOURT Charlotte replaces ROBERTS Rhiannon

        14. 62'

          Substitution

          HOLLAND Ceri replaces JAMES Angharad

        15. 62'

          Hughes finds space on the edge of the area and gets a shot away which is held by Brosnan.

        16. 56'

          Yellow card

          JAMES Angharad

        17. 46'

          Substitution

          EMILY MURPHY replaces LEANNE KIERNAN

        18. 46'

          Substitution

          KYRA CARUSA replaces AMBER BARRETT

        19. 46'

          Substitution

          LOUISE QUINN replaces NIAMH FAHEY

        20. Half time: Cymru lead 2-0 and are in control at the break with Fishlock and Woodham on the scoresheet. They had to deal with some pressure from the Republic of Ireland with Clark coming to their rescue with two fine saves, but they have had further chances of their own to increase their lead. Ingle came close with a chipped effort which hit the roof of the net while Rowe also had an opportunity before Cymru went ahead.

        21. It’s been a fantastic opening 45 minutes for Jon Grey’s side.

        22. 45'

          Three additional minutes are indicated at the end of the first half.

        23. 40'

          Hughes breaks through in the penalty area and is able to get a shot away, but it’s easily saved by Brosnan.

        25. 22'

          A sweet strike from Woodham.

        26. 22'

          GOAL! It’s a stunning finish from Woodham to double Cymru’s lead. Roberts’ cross again causes problems and Hughes flicks the ball into the path of Woodham, who smashes the ball into the top corner with a first-time effort.

        27. 22'

          Goal

          WOODHAM Lily

        28. 16'

          An unbelievable save from Clark as she does brilliantly to keep out an effort from Barrett from point-blank range. The home side continue to threaten but Cymru’s defence hold firm to keep them at bay.

        30. 7'

          GOAL! A great start for Cymru as Ladd’s cutback finds an unmarked Fishlock and she fires home for the opener.

        31. 7'

          Goal

          FISHLOCK Jessica Anne

        32. 6'

          Cymru enjoy a good opportunity as Roberts’ cross causes problems in the penalty area before the ball falls to Rowe, who fires wide.

        33. 1'

          The ball gets rolling at Tallaght Stadium and we’re under way…

        39. Here’s how Cymru line up for this evening’s game…

        47. There’s some breaking news on camp as Rhian Wilkinson has been announced as the new Cymru Women’s National Team Head Coach until 2027.

          Speaking about her appointment, Wilkinson said: “It’s an incredible honour to be taking on the role of Cymru Head Coach. The team has gone from strength to strength in the last few years and I aim to build on that with our mission to qualify for next summer’s EUROs and beyond. We have a group of players that are ready and deserve to be in major tournaments. I can’t wait to meet them and work with them. My mother is Welsh, and I spent part of my childhood growing up in south Wales, so I’m excited to involve myself with the country’s culture and explore that part of my roots even further.”

          You can read more about the announcement here.

        52. There’s an update to the squad as Tianna Teisar has been forced to withdraw from the camp due to illness and will not travel to Dublin.

        59. Interim Head Coach Jon Grey has announced his Cymru squad for the upcoming friendly. Five players have received their first call ups, including Tianna Teisar, Olivia Francis and Mayzee Davies, who will join Grey’s side following their friendly double-header against Scotland with the WU19s. Midfielder Lois Joel and forward Tegan McGowan have also been selected for the first time.

          Read more by clicking here.

        60. There is no live report available for this match

        Lineups

        Starting

          Substitutes

            Starting

              Substitutes

                Table

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                Gd
                Pts

                Match Info

                Stadium

                Date & Time

                Referee

                Fourth Official

                Assistant Referees

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