Barrett sparks Irish fightback against impressive Zambia

Republic of Ireland 3-2 Zambia

Amber Barrett rose from the bench to spark a second-half Republic of Ireland fightback as they beat a dynamic and impressive Zambia 3-2 in their World Cup warm-up friendly at Tallaght Stadium.

There's 55 places between the team in the FIFA world rankings; Ireland are 22nd, Zambia 77th. But it certainly didn't look it on a balmy Dublin night, with Vera Pauw giving several of her fringe players a chance to impress before she finalises her tournament squad next week.

Zambia took the lead in a first half bossed by the superb Barbra Banda, whose cross led to a Courtney Brosnan own goal on 17 minutes.

Pauw made five changes at the break and the hosts re-emerged a more aggressive, cohesive outfit. Barrett equalised from the penalty spot in the 47th minute, Claire O’Riordan expertly headed Ireland in front 16 minutes later and Barrett struck again with 69 minutes on the clock, lifting home a lovey lob.

Zambia got one back with 11 minutes left through Rachael Kundananji, but Ireland saw it out on a night when victory felt a lot less important than individual performances. Pauw will name her final 23-player World Cup squad next week.

Katie McCabe, Kyra Carusa, Denise O'Sullivan and Sinead Farrelly - all nailed on starters against Australia - were absent; Aoife Mannion continues to rehab her knee injury; Lily Agg was omitted as a precaution; and Tara O'Hanlon was given the night off as she focuses on her Leaving Cert exams.

Kiernan made her first Ireland start in 16 months as Pauw handed the Cavan attacker an opportunity to prove she's sharp enough to make the plane.

Eighty-two seconds in, she almost bagged a dream goal. Izzy Atkinson whipped in a good ball from the left and Kiernan's first-time volley