Denise O'Sullivan inspires Ireland to a famous win over France in Euro qualifier in Cork

Republic of Ireland 3

France 1

Knocknaheeny's Denise O’Sullivan was the star of the show as she marked her homecoming in Cork with the Republic of Ireland by scoring the opening goal during a 3-1 victory over France in Euro 2025 qualifying in front of 18,399 spectators at Super Valu Páirc Uí Chaoimh on Tuesday night.

The historic moment came in the 66th minute with a low right legged shot from distance, and Julie-Ann Russell and Anna Patten made sure of the result, which secures seeding during the play-offs.

Vicki Becho set up a big finish, and Eileen Gleeson’s players rallied to stop the 2023 Women’s World Cup quarter finalists from getting a draw.

France went to Cork after topping the group last Friday, and Hervé Renard reacted by making eleven changes from that game against Sweden.

Ireland took advantage of Les Bleues’unfamiliarity and created a number of half-chances during the first 45.

O’Sullivan was in the middle of everything, starting with a neat through all to Leanne Kiernan, who failed to get a shot away.

France slowly found their feet, and Ève Périsset issued a timely reminder of what they are capable of by splitting Ireland’s defence open with a pass intended for Léa Le Garrec on the right wing. Jessica Ziu got in the way of this and ushered the ball out for a corner.

Ireland kept going and an attempt from Kiernan was stopped by Constance Picaud. 

This was arguably the best opportunity for either team to score in the first half, and the two teams went into the break drawing 0-0.

France brought on Delphine Cascarino at half-time and the Lyon midfielder announced herself by stinging the palms of Courtney Brosnan within seconds of the restart.

Ireland picked up where they left off at half-time, but opportunities, like a close range Zui shot, went to waste.

The general feeling in the ground was that it would take something special to beat the France defence.

O’Sullivan was the player who did just that and she put the ball beyond the reach of Picaud in the 66th minute.

The scorer turned creator with an over the top pass to Russell, and the forward got her second goal for Ireland in two games after cutting inside and curling the ball in with 76 minutes on the clock.

When Becho made it 2-1 with a close range finish, the crowd was silenced, and Patten retaliated by turning in a corner, sent in by Megan Connolly.

Republic of Ireland: Courtney Brosnan; Louise Quinn, Julie Ann-Russell, Ruesha Littlejohn, Denise O’Sullivan, Katie McCabe, Anna Patten, Aoife Mannion, Caitlin Hayes, Leanne Kiernan, Jessica Zui.

Subs: Lily Agg for Littlejohn (54); Megan Connolly for Kiernan (87), Amber Barrett for Ziu (90), France: Constance Picaud; Maëlle Lakrar, Estelle Cascarino, Amandine Henry, Léa Le Garrec, Thiniba Samoura, Selma Bacha, Sandy Baltimore, Julie Dufour, Ève Périsset, Vicki Becho.

Subs: Delphine Cascarino for Baltimore (HT); Eilsa De Almeida for Cascarino (62), Kadidiatou Diani for Dufour (70), Marie-Antoinette Katoto for Le Garrec (81).

Referee: Olatz Rivera Olmendo (Spain).