Italy v Ireland: All You Need to Know

FRIDAY 23 FEBRUARY

International friendly

Italy v Ireland, Viola Park, Florence, 5.15pm

TV
There will be live coverage on the RTÉ News Channel and RTÉ Player from 5.10pm.

ONLINE
Live tracker on RTÉ.ie/sport and the RTÉ News app. Updates and match footage on RTÉ Sport social channels.

WEATHER
The game may be in Italy, but there will be a distinctly Irish feel to conditions. Temperatures are expected to be about 13c with some rain and a breeze expected.

NEW YEAR, NEW HOPES
All in all, 2023 was the most dramatic in the history of the Ireland WNT with a first-ever World Cup appearance and the subsequent untidy fall-out from it that eventually led to Vera Pauw's exit amid accusations of 'interference’ and counterclaims from the FAI.

Pauw’s former assistant Eileen Gleeson took on the role on an interim basis with the noises indicating that it would indeed just be a short stay, but one very successful UEFA Nations League campaign later and the gig was hers on a permanent basis.

That news arrived a week before Christmas, shortly after their closing 6-1 win over Northern Ireland in Belfast, and it should provide new solidity ahead of what will be their first match of 2024.

The build-up hasn’t been completely free of intrigue, Gleeson stonewalling questions about a potential return to her role as head of women's and girls' football in the future after reports of term changes.

However, after that chaotic 2023, the good and the bad, the squad will be hoping that the new year can bring an opportunity to put full focus on what’s happening on the pitch with the Italy game followed by a home game with Wales next Tuesday.

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