Preview: Ireland ready for stern Italian examination

Ireland's first game of 2024 and the start of new beginnings under the stewardship of Eileen Gleeson.

Gleeson presided over a wholly successful period as interim manager following the departure of Vera Pauw - six wins out of six, 20 goals scored and just two conceded as Ireland earned promotion to League A in the Nations League – but there was a feeling that it was a period of transition, keeping the seat warm for whoever was tasked with taking the Girls in Green to the next level.

The run of results catapulted Gleeson to the top of the queue and two months after getting the gig on a permanent basis, Italy are first up for Ireland in Friday’s friendly in Florence.

After that it is the visit of Wales on Tuesday before attention turns to the 5 March draw to find out Ireland’s opposition for the Euro 2025 qualifiers.

First however will be a stern test of what Ireland are about in Florence as they take on an Italian side ranked 14th in the world (a dozen placed above Ireland) and who operated comfortably in the top tier of the Nations League last year, including a 3-2 win over the World Cup holders in Spain.

Injury has robbed them of key Roma pair Manuela Giugliano and Valentina Giacinti, but the presence of Barbara Bonansea and Arianna Caruso is likely to keep the Irish defenc honest.

Like Ireland, the Azzurri also bowed out of the 2023 World Cup at the group stage, but their exit was somewhat unfortunate.

Drawing 2-2 with South Africa in their final game as the clock went red and heading towards the knockout stages, the concession of an injury-time goal ensured they were on the next plane home.

Gleeson will be looking to the strength of her squad, with Denise O'Sullivan and Tyler Toland already ruled out but the big setback this