Eileen Gleeson hungry to bring Cork vibes into Euro 2025 play-offs

Eileen Gleeson urged her Republic of Ireland team to build on their impressive defeat of France as she toasted the best night of her reign to date.

Herve Renard's French side had already wrapped up direct qualification for Euro 2025 and made 11 changes ot their team for the trip to Cork. But this was still a commendable performance from the Girls in Green at a raucous Páirc Uí Chaoimh.

Goals from Denise O'Sullivan, Julie-Ann Russell and Anna Patten earned a 3-1 victory that guarantees Ireland will be seeded for both the play-off semi-final and the final, should they get there. They had been in a direct fight for seeding with Poland, who lost 1-0 to Iceland in their last qualifier.

Ireland had been beaten in all five of their previous five qualifiers, and only scored one goal. However a pacey attacking pair of Leanne Kiernan and Russell gave them a different dimension. Now, Gleeson wants to make sure they maintain momentum with sights firmly set on reaching another major tournament.

"I'll be lying down for the next two days and then we go again!" she laughed.

"We've been realistic about the level of opposition we’re playing against. We knew we’d have few chances in these games. But tonight, of course it’s a sign of the progress and that we can be up there.

"What was super important for us was to get the seeded place. We’ve always talked about qualifying for Euro 2025 and that pathway. We were always, always talking about that. We’re waiting to see what the next step of that pathway is. We’re looking forward to the draw (which takes place on Friday)."