FAI: PREVIEW | WNT v France

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The International Friendly on Thursday night is officially sold out, but all supporters are encouraged to use their ticket to give the Girls in Green full support.
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MATCH DETAILS
International Friendly
Ireland v France
Thursday, July 6
Tallaght Stadium
KO 20:00
LIVE on RTÉ2
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MATCH OFFICIALS
Referee: Kirsty Dowle (England)
Assistant Referee: Melissa Burgin (England)
Assistant Referee: Emily Carney (England)
Fourth Official: Lisa Benn (England)
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TEAM NEWS
Ireland have a fully fit squad to select from.
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MANAGER QUOTES – Vera Pauw
“This game was always the most important in our preparation for FIFA Women’s World Cup 2023 so it was crucial that we secured a top level opponent who would give us the kind of challenge that we need to be familiar with going into the World Cup. France are an excellent team and we are looking forward to this challenge.
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“Our preparation, to date, has been excellent. We now need to test ourselves in a high pressure game because we expect France to be physically strong, athletic, quick and superb in both attacking and defending. This is exactly why we chose to play against them, we must be ready for what the best teams will come at us with.
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“This is also an important game for our fantastic fans as they will get the opportunity to cheer on the team and wish them well before we depart for the World Cup. I would encourage everyone who has secured a ticket to use it, you have a responsibility to fill that seat because there are so many fans who would take it up if you don’t. If you cannot make the game, make sure someone else does.”*
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NOTES

• France have competed in five FIFA Women’s World Cup tournaments – finishing fourth in 2011 – and reached the semi-finals of EURO 2022
• There are 17 places between the two games in the FIFA Women’s World Rankings as France are currently 5th while Ireland are in 22nd
• 5 players in the current WNT squad have previously played against France at senior level (Niamh Fahey, Louise Quinn, Diane Caldwell, Áine O’Gorman and Denise O’Sullivan)
• Stephanie Roche and Áine O’Gorman have scored the only goals for Ireland in games against France (Stephanie netting in the 2-1 loss in 2009, Áine scoring in 3-1 defeat in 2011)
• Sinead Farrelly and Marissa Sheva could be in line for their home debuts, having previously only played in games abroad since becoming eligible for the team
• France’s all-time top goalscorer Eugénie Le Sommer made her France senior debut in a game against Ireland in February 2009

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PREVIOUS MEETINGS
10/10/1973 | France 4-0 Ireland, Parc des Princes (International Friendly)
23/09/1978 | Ireland 0-0 France, Dalymount Park (International Friendly)
23/03/1987 | France 2-0 Ireland, Caudry (International Friendly)
12/11/1994 | Ireland 0-3 France, Turner’s Cross (International Friendly)
18/05/1997 | France 2-0 Ireland, Orry-la-Ville (International Friendly)
12/02/2009 | France 2-0 Ireland, Stade des Allées Jean-Leroi (International Friendly)
25/02/2010 | Ireland 1-2 France, Richmond Park (International Friendly)
22/09/2011 | Ireland 1-3 France, Turner’s Cross (UEFA EURO Qualifier)
15/09/2012 | France 4-0 Ireland, Stade du Roudourou (UEFA EURO Qualifier)
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IRELAND WNT SQUAD
Goalkeepers:*Courtney Brosnan (Everton), Grace Moloney (Reading), Megan Walsh (Brighton & Hove Albion)
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Defenders:*Heather Payne (Florida State University), Áine O'Gorman (Shamrock Rovers), Louise Quinn (Birmingham City), Niamh Fahey (Liverpool), Diane Caldwell (Reading), Claire O’Riordan (Celtic), Chloe Mustaki (Bristol City), Izzy Atkinson (West Ham United)
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Midfielders:*Katie McCabe (Arsenal), Denise O’Sullivan (North Carolina Courage), Megan Connolly (Brighton & Hove Albion), Ruesha Littlejohn (Aston Villa), Ciara Grant (Hearts), Lily Agg (London City Lionesses), Lucy Quinn (Birmingham City), Sinead Farrelly (NY/NJ Gotham)
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Forwards:*Kyra Carusa (London City Lionesses), Amber Barrett (Standard Liege), Marissa Sheva (Washington Spirit), Abbie Larkin (Shamrock Rovers)
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IRELAND WNT PLAYER STATS
Goalkeepers
Courtney Brosnan | DOB 10/11/1995 | 22 caps / 10 clean sheets | Debut vs Montenegro 11/03/2020
Megan Walsh | DOB 12/11/1994 | 1 cap / 0 clean sheets | Debut vs Russia 19/02/2022
Grace Moloney | DOB 01/03/1993 | 6 caps / 1 clean sheet | Debut vs Austria 02/03/2016
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Defenders
Heather Payne | DOB 26/01/2000 | 34 caps / 1 goal | Debut vs Scotland 07/07/2017
Áine O’Gorman | DOB 13/05/1989 | 117 caps / 13 goals | Debut vs Denmark 15/03/2006
Niamh Fahey | DOB 13/10/1987 | 107 caps / 1 goal | Debut vs Portugal 07/03/2007
Diane Caldwell | DOB 11/09/1988 | 95 caps / 4 goals | Debut vs Denmark 15/03/2006
Louise Quinn | DOB 17/06/1990 | 104 caps / 15 goals | Debut vs Poland 02/02/2008
Claire O'Riordan | DOB 12/10/1994 | 18 caps / 1 goal | Debut vs Hungary 07/03/2016
Chloe Mustaki | DOB 29/07/1995 | 6 caps / 0 goals | Debut vs Russia 19/02/2022
Izzy Atkinson | DOB 17/07/2001 | 5 caps / 0 goals | Debut vs Portugal 21/01/2018
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Midfielders
Katie McCabe | DOB 21/09/1995 | 72 caps / 20 goals | Debut vs Hungary 04/03/2015
Denise O’Sullivan | DOB | 101 caps / 18 goals | Debut vs Wales 17/09/2011
Megan Connolly | DOB 07/03/1997 | 39 caps / 4 goals | Debut vs USA 23/02/2016
Ruesha Littlejohn | DOB 03/07/1990 | 71 caps / 6 goals | Debut vs Hungary 07/03/2012
Lucy Quinn | DOB 29/09/1993 | 14 caps / 3 goals | Debut vs Australia 21/09/2021
Ciara Grant | DOB 11/06/1993 | 18 caps / 0 goals | Debut vs USA 28/11/2012
Lily Agg | DOB 17/12/1993 | 7 caps / 2 goals | Debut vs Philippines 19/06/2022
Sinead Farrelly | DOB 16/11/1989*| 1 cap / 0 goals | Debut vs USA 08/04/2023
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Forwards
Amber Barrett | DOB 16/01/1996 | 36 caps / 7 goals | Debut vs Wales 20/08/2016
Abbie Larkin | DOB 27/04/2005 | 7 caps / 1 goal | Debut vs Russia 19/02/2022
Kyra Carusa | DOB 14/11/1995 | 11 caps / 2 goals | Debut vs Montenegro 11/03/2020
Marissa Sheva | DOB 22/04/1997 | 3 caps / 0 goals | Debut vs China PR 22/02/2023



Ireland Category:
Senior Women


Choose Site:
Ireland


Match Preview / Report:
Match Preview


Match ID:
Republic of Ireland 0 - 1 France | 2023 - Senior Women's Friendlies | 999948584


Introduction:
The final game before they depart for FIFA Women’s World Cup 2023 will see the Ireland Women’s National Team take on France in Tallaght Stadium.




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