Ireland to face Netherlands in World Cup qualifier at SuperValu Páirc Uí Chaoimh
Saoirse Noonan of Republic of Ireland celebrates after scoring against Slovenia at Páirc Uí Chaoimh in Cork. Picture: Stephen McCarthy/Sportsfile
Ireland’s women’s team will return to SuperValu Páirc Uí Chaoimh for the World Cup qualifier against Netherlands on Friday, June 5.
Meetings of An Coiste Bainistíochta and Ard Chomhairle took place on Friday and Saturday, respectively, with the latter summit approving a proposal by Cork GAA to stage the game at the venue.
Ireland begin their campaign on Tuesday, March 3 by hosting France at 10,000-seater Tallaght Stadium before travelling to face the Dutch four days later. Manager Carla Ward had expressed her desire to move fixtures around the country when the League A draw was made.
Tallaght is likely to also stage the visit of Poland on Saturday, April 18 but they’ll switch south for the Netherlands assignment – their penultimate qualifier before they travel to France.
The Dutch are currently ranked 11th in the world and have Arjan Veurink as manager. He was previously with England, working as assistant to Sarina Wiegman, who led her homeland to their first Euros triumph in 2017.
The home of Cork GAA hosted the European Championship qualifier 3-1 win over the French in July 2024, attracting 18,399 for the first-ever competitive match at the venue. Just over half that turned out last summer when a goal by Cork native Saoirse Noonan sealed a 1-0 victory against Slovenia.
Ireland beat Belgium in a playoff last October to seal their place in League A of the qualifiers. Crucially, that victory over two legs guarantees them entry into the playoffs for next year’s World Cup in Brazil regardless of how they fare in this four-nation pool.
Ireland v France, Tallaght Stadium.
Netherlands v Ireland, Stadion Galgenwaard, Utrecht.
Poland v Ireland, Polsat Plus Arena, Gdańsk.
Ireland v Poland, Venue TBC.
Ireland v Netherlands, SuperValu Páirc Uí Chaoimh.
France v Ireland, Stade des Alpes, Grenoble.
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