Mannion out but Gleeson insists Irish ready for Wales
The Republic of Ireland will be without defender Aoife Mannion for Friday night's Euro 2025 play-off first leg against Wales, but head coach Eileen Gleeson is confident they are well stocked to cope with a Cardiff City Stadium cauldron.
Mannion was always a doubt despite being included in the squad last week. She's been absent for Manchester United with a muscle injury recently, and did not train with the group on Wednesday before they flew to Cardiff.
Gleeson confirmed today the 29-year-old is not fit to feature, so there's a void to be filled in central defence. Niamh Fahey is available and vastly experienced but she hasn't started a league game this season for Liverpool. Jessie Stapleton and the returning Megan Connolly are other viable options to slot in beside Anna Patten and Caitlin Hayes.
"Niamh's playing with a top club, she’s training, she played against Newcastle (in the League Cup last Sunday)," Gleeson said of the Galway 37-year-old.
"Niamh has great experience and we’ll draw on that when she’s, you know, solid with the team, we’ll focus on that part of it. We’re well aware of the exposure she has in the training that she’s putting in, we’re happy with that."
"I think we're more calm going into this game because we have that experience."
With around 17,000 tickets shifted, Wales will have a record crowd for a women's international behind them and Rhian Wilkinson's side will be pumped up: they're aiming to qualify for a first major tournament.
But Gleeson has confidence the Girls in Green will stand up the challenge, and is not placing too much emphasis on February's friendy between the sides, which Wales deservedly won 2-0.
"I don't think we learned anything that we didn’t know," Gleeson said of that clash. "What we learned was about ourselves in that game. It was a friendly game, both teams using other players, different squads.
"What I do know is we’re a different team to what we were in February, Wales are also a different. You’re never the same team twice. And for us, it highlights to us the quality Wales have. I do think it will be an evenly matched tie and we’re looking forward to that."
This is a full-circle moment for Denise O'Sullivan, who was sitting to her boss's right. The Cork midfielder made her debut against Wales 13 years ago, scoring both goals in a 2–0 Euro 2013 qualifier in Newport.
Now she's hoping Ireland can tap into the experience of their World Cup play-off against Scotland two years ago at Hamden Park to overcome dangerous opponents.
"We've all experience in these big games and emotions will be high," O'Sullivan said.
"I think we’re more calm going into this game because we have that experience.
"No matter what happens tomorrow night, we still have that second leg at home and we'll have that home crowd behind us. That's the only thing I'm thinking about, full focus is on tomorrow night now.
"We know it's a lot of pressure but I think we're more prepared than ever and we can handle that. We do have these little conversations. I think the only conversations we're having is how excited we are, how prepared we are for this game against Wales. We're all looking forward to it."
For Ireland, it's imperative they blunt the impact of Jess Fishlock. The Seattle Reign playmaker is 37 (this is realistically her last shot at reaching a tournament), but she remains lethally potent.
"She’s a top player," Gleeson added. "I mean she’s a really top player at club and international (level). She’s been a standout player for Wales of course. We’re hugely respectful, we know the quality that Jess has.
"To be still playing at 37 and playing every game mostly with Seattle in one of the best leagues in the world is testament to how professional she is and the quality she has. We’re well aware of her attributes."
O'Sullivan played alongside Fishlock at Glasgow City in 2013. There's such familiarity among both sets of players who have crossed paths, either as team-mates or rivals. A full-blooded but cagey affair is anticipated.
"The night we played Scotland, Wales got knocked out in a play-off against Switzerland so we all have that experience," O'Sullivan stressed.
"We can't get ahead of ourselves, we know it’s over two legs. The full focus will be on the first leg and see if we can get something out of that. Then we’ll go back to Dublin with the home advantage and train, put in a really good performance and do well."
Watch Wales v Republic of Ireland in the Euro 2025 play-offs on Friday from 6.30pm on RTÉ2 and RTÉ Player. Follow a live blog on rte.ie/sport and the RTÉ News app and listen to live commentary on 2fm's Game On
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