FAI plans review into empty seats at Tallaght

The FAI will review why there were empty seats at Thursday night's World Cup qualifier against Finland, which had officially sold out two months ago.

Back in July the association announced the crucial clash had sold out in just 30 minutes.

Over 2,000 tickets were set aside for children through the clubs/schools initiative.

The FAI expected a record crowd, one that surpassed the 5,328 attendance for the 2019 win over Ukraine.

That record was indeed broken as 6,952 passed through the turnstiles to watch Vera Pauw's team earn a 1-0 win that sent them to the play-offs. Ticket entries are electronically logged once activated.

However, it was still over a thousand short of the ground's 8,000-seat capacity, and empty seats were visible around the stadium.

It's generally accepted that there will be a natural drop-off of fans who do not turn up for matches but the shortfall last night seemed particularly high, and will be examined.

There is satisfaction that crowds are steadily rising for Ireland's internationals at Tallaght - the ambition is to have 8,000 people in the ground in the not too distant future.

But the frustration on Thursday night stemmed from the fact there had been a big demand for tickets and many of those fans watching at home may have been scratching their heads as to why they could not get their hands on one.

Pauw alluded to it after the game when she said: "I saw a few seats empty so a few did not show up, which was a shame because there were so many other girls who wanted to come."

Those who did make it created a boisterous atmosphere that helped drag Ireland over the line.

Ireland don't know how many games they'll have to negotiate in October's play-offs yet but it's an open draw so they could well get the opportunity