Ireland fall to Tallaght defeat against impressive Wales

Republic of Ireland 0-2 Wales

After a cultured performance against Italy in Florence, the Republic of Ireland were given a reality check on their own patch.

Eileen Gleeson's charges suffered their first defeat in nine games against a ferociously hungry and well-drilled Wales at Tallaght Stadium.

There’s no need push the panic button just yet. Gleeson has plenty of credit in the bank after overseeing a seven-game unbeaten stretch, and the absence of Denise O’Sullivan cannot be underestimated.

But the nature of this loss will lead to a painful inquest ahead of April’s Euro 2025 qualifiers.

Wales are ranked 32nd in the world, eight places below Ireland, and yet they looked levels above their hosts in a devastating first half, Jess Fishlock and Lily Woodham goals leaving two up inside the first 20 minutes.

It could have been more.

Ireland did improve on the turnaround, with Jess Ziu a bright spark throughout. But they’ll know serious improvement is required if they are to seriously challenge the big guns over the course of the spring and early summer.

Having impressed in last Friday evening’s draw with Italy, Ireland made a few tweaks to both the lineup and the approach. Amber Barrett, Leanne Kiernan and Diane Caldwell (a late replacement for Niamh Fahey who aggravated her quad in the warm-up) slotted into a fluid 4-2-3-1 formation in front of a crowd of over 8,218 (a record for a women’s international in Tallaght).

However in a chaotic opening half, it simply didn’t work.

The visitors could have been four up inside a horribly disjointed opening 10 minutes, with Ireland looking confused by their own approach.

First, Rhiannon Roberts’ cross caused panic, with Rachel Rowe blazing a half-volley miles wide from inside the box. Then a