Ireland treating Kazakhstan game in Páirc Uí Chaoimh as a 'cup final' says Megan Connolly
Ireland’s Megan Connolly fires a shot against Kazakhstan. Picture: INPHO
Megan Connolly says the Republic of Ireland will treat tonight’s Women’s World Cup play-off semi-final second leg with Kazakhstan as a cup final at SuperValu Páirc Uí Chaoimh, 7.30pm.
The Turner’s Cross native is targeting a big finish as the Girls in Green look to see out the tie in style after their 8-0 victory in Astana last Friday.
Ireland are now thinking about the play-off final against the winner of the tie between Belgium and Poland, with the Red Devils holding a 1-0 advantage going into the return leg in Gdansk.
“I think coming into the game we wanted a professional performance from the start and set the tone and going in at halftime at 5-0 that showed,” she told RTÉ Sport. “That is the first of four games. We’re treating it as a cup final. We go onto Tuesday and that is another cup final for us.”
Connolly wants a repeat of their performance at Páirc Uí Chaoimh, a ground Ireland have never experienced defeat on.
“Pretty much the same – starting strong treating the game and from the very beginning a professional performance,” she explained.
“Putting in our best performance and hopefully we move onto the next phase.”
The Girls in Green put themselves in this position last Friday by hammering Kazakhstan 8-0, with the job done in a first half that saw Ireland score five goals.
Kyra Carusa netted a brace during a period that also saw Chloe Mustaki, Emily Murphy, and Abbie Larkin hit the back of the net.
Carla Ward used the healthy advantage as a chance to rotate with half-time producing three changes with Leanne Kiernan, Tyler Toland, and Amber Barrett replacing Murphy, Connolly, and Carusa.
The Girls in Green continued to attack with the cushion which led to goals for Jamie Finn, Shande Hopcraft, and Jessica Stapleton.
It finished as one of the most dominating performances ever for an Irish team, with a second leg to come in Cork.
Ward is expected to change things up for the game, and is expected to give minutes to Denise O’Sullivan after the centurion was rested for Friday’s trip to Kazakhstan. The midfielder spent the last week in Cork training, after returning to the NWSL over the summer to sign for Gotham FC on loan from Liverpool.
O’Sullivan is thriving since making the move back to the United States, with the club on top of the league and pushing to win successive titles during a season that also saw victory in the CONCACAF W Champions Cup.
Katie McCabe will also be back for Tuesday’s game after missing the trip to Kazakhstan through suspension.
Ward has a number of options available to her for the return leg of a tie that is effectively over.
Ireland will want to give a performance, at a venue they have enjoyed considerable success in since their return to Cork for a UEFA Nations League game with France in July 2024.
The Girls in Green won 3-1 and went on to defeat Slovenia and Netherlands, with the victory over Oranje going down as one of the greatest in the entire history of women’s football in Ireland.
Kazakhstan are up next and then it will be a meeting with Belgium or Poland with the prize being a place in the World Cup finals in Brazil.
Right now, it’s all about another performance and making a statement as the players dream of playing on the biggest stage of all.
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