Megan Connolly and Saoirse Noonan help Ireland to 'unbelievable' win at rain-soaked Páirc Uí Chaoimh

Republic of Ireland 3 Netherlands 2 

'Unbelievable' was Carla Ward’s one-word summary of the Republic of Ireland’s historic 3-2 victory over the Netherlands in World Cup qualifying in front of 12,569 spectators at SuperValu Páirc Uí Chaoimh.

The result means that a win over France on Tuesday will send the Girls in Green through to the tournament finals, without the need for a play-off in the autumn.

Amber Barrett set up that dream scenario with a 90th-minute goal into the City End, during a frantic spell when Ireland pushed forward with the game tied at 2-2 in the pouring rain.

It was in the balance, after a start that saw the Netherlands dominate possession and Ireland sit tight in defence.

This was a pattern of play established at kick-off and Ireland used what they could to take the lead three times.

This began with a Ruesha Littlejohn through ball in the 19th minute that Abbie Larkin used to set up Kyra Carusa for the first goal at the Blackrock End.

Dominique Janssen equalised with a penalty at the start of the second half and Ireland regained the lead just 90 seconds later when Larkin got free to stab the ball in at the near post.

Victoria Pelova replied for the Netherlands, to finish off an aggressive push by the visitors in the 81st minute. Ireland continued to attack despite the set-back, leading to a corner as the clock turned red.

Jessica Ziu took it short for Leanne Kiernan, for a cross to the back post that was knocked down by Anna Patten for Barrett to turn in. Six long minutes followed, before a euphoric full-time whistle that confirmed one of the greatest ever Ireland wins.

Ward was stuck for words when looking back on the tie, and ahead at Tuesday’s meeting with France at the Stade des Alpes in Grenoble.

“Oh, unbelievable - it's funny because I know I say it, but I believe in this team,” she said.

“I say it all the time to the players, we have to believe we can play against anybody, compete against anybody, and I didn't want to settle at 2-2.

“I was clear to the players and the staff if we went into the closing stages, still in the game, drawing, or behind, we were going to go for it. It's probably why you saw us flip to the aggressive way we did, and thankfully it paid off.” 

Ward credited the Cork crowd with getting Ireland over the line as they held out to stop the Netherlands late push for a third equaliser.

We love coming to Cork and Cork loves us coming down here. 

“They make a lot of noise and it massively helps us. I spoke about that this morning in the team meeting around really using them because they can play a big part and they did.” 

This manifested in a defensive shift like no other as Caitlin Hayes seemed to head everything away that was sent into the area by the Netherlands. Jessica Ziu also ran everywhere, as she collected the ball and knitted play together in midfield while feeding passes through to Barrett.

The striker capped off the win by shielding possession late on and burning time off the clock. It all came together as the rain seemed to be at its heaviest, as Ireland secured one of their biggest ever wins and set up a historic tie on Tuesday with France.

Ward and her players were ecstatic as they took everything in, while they celebrated with thousands of supporters in Cork.

IRELAND: Courtney Brosnan; Aoife Mannion, Anna Patten, Caitlin Hayes, Chloe Mustaki; Marissa Sheva, Megan Connolly, Ruesha Littlejohn; Abbie Larkin, Kyra Carusa, Katie McCabe.

Subs: Jessica Ziu for Littlejohn (HT); Amber Barrett for Carusa (76); Leanne Kiernan for Larkin (76), Saoirse Noonan for Connolly (85).

NETHERLANDS: Lize Kop; Lynn Wilms, Dominique Janssen, Veerle Buurman, Janou Levels; Wieke Kaptein, Damaris Egurrola, Ella Peddemors; Lineth Beerensteyn, Romée Leuchter, Esmee Brugts.

Subs: Daniëlle van de Donk for Peddemors (56); Marisa Olilagers for Levels (56), Jackie Groenen for Damaris Egurrola (56), Victoria Pelova for Kaptein (75), Liz Rijsbergen for Luchter (75). 

Referee: Katalin Kulcsár (Hungary)