Promotion to Nations League 'A' would mean the welcome prospect for the FAI of the Republic of Ireland women's squad facing top-level opposition at Lansdowne Road next year
Securing a step up would mean the welcome prospect for the FAI of the Republic facing top-level opposition at Lansdowne Road next yearIreland's Katie McCabe celebrates after scoring her side's fifth goal of the match and her hat-trick against Albania at Tallaght Stadium. Photograph: Tom Maher/Inpho
If Ireland win in Shkodër on Tuesday evening and Hungary fail to beat Northern Ireland in Belfast, promotion to the Nations League ‘A’ will be secured for 2024. With two matches to spare. The Nations League top tier offers a direct route to the 2025 Euros in Switzerland as finishing first or second in a four-team group would deliver qualification to consecutive major tournaments. It proves that every competitive result has a longer-term impact on Irish football.
The first was special. McCabe pounced on loose ball near her own box, galloped 60 metres down the right, bursting between two Albanians before lifting her head and sliding a pass for the overlapping Carusa, who finished beyond goalkeeper Viona Rexhepi. “The second goal, my God again, Katie McCabe with a cross that was just meant for my head,” said Carusa. “It literally knocked me on to my back afterwards because it was pinged in so much.”
It helps that the Ireland captain is no longer starting at full back. Common sense appears to have prevailed. And anyway, she cannot take throw-ins after tearing her tricep playing for Arsenal nine days ago.“No, we’re cool,” Farrelly confirmed. “It wasn’t a thing. It became a thing from people who didn’t know what they were talking about. We’re fine.
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