They should come to Cork more often. Quite the lark by the Lee. A first-class Irish display against the second-best team in the world.
On a historic night in the ‘Park’, the finest result in the annals of international women’s football, their first win against France.
Local hero Denise O’Sullivan provided the spark with a stunning 66th-minute goal to stun France in their Euro 2025 qualifier at Páirc Uí Chaoimh.
Nine minutes later, Julie-Ann Russell, who provided the finish in Norwich the previous Friday, scripted a dream sequence here, notching the Republic’s second in a scarcely credible return to the international sphere 13 months after welcoming her first child.
France responded, but the Republic – and Cork – would create the final, definitive word; Megan Connolly’s corner headed home with authority by defender Anna Patten to score her first international goal with just minutes remaining.
Player of the Match Russell dedicated her achievements to 13-month-old daughter Rosie as she accepted her award on live TV.
“I can’t believe it really, what a game, incredible,” she told RTE. “The fans were fantastic. I’m just so happy.
“I can’t believe it. It’s so surreal. The goals are all for Rosie. The celebration is iconic, it’s lovely, and she can look at it when she’s older, and hopefully, it can inspire other mothers.
“We’d a few chances in the first half, I was guilty myself. We went on with the mentality.
“I’m delighted Denise scored, she is a legend in Irish football.
“The ball came over the top and I just went for it with my left foot. My dad is in Cork, I’ve a load of relations here.”
Julie-Ann Russell celebrates scoring for the Republic of Ireland against France with team-mate Lily Agg
The visitors may have sent their second-best team, but the Irish were determined not to be second-best as they avoided a record-equalling seventh successive defeat.
After an hour of mostly watchful, careful fare, the game always seemed tempting for the Republic to seize. How they did so.
O’Sullivan’s 21st goal in green was a beauty into the empty terraces of the town end, reflective of predominant Irish control on and off the ball, but perhaps a rare moment when they applied the composure to match.
Caitlin Hayes’ calm defensive switch allowed Patten to send a long probe into Russell, the returning mother who had scored the Republic’s only goal of 2024 so far with the last kick of the game against England on Friday.
She chested down adeptly, the lay-off teeing up O’Sullivan to crown a brilliant personal performance with a daisy-cutting drive beyond a flailing Constance Picaud in the French goal.
Then, it was Russell’s turn to wheel away in joy; adeptly finishing from inside the area, cutting inside sub Elisa De Almeida with a right-foot touch, curling a shot beyond a stunned Picaud with her left for her sixth international goal.
Baby Rosie in the crowd was acclaimed in the celebrations.
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It was a deserved reward for a performance until then which, although fitful at times, presented a consistent balance between caution off the ball and confidence on it.
Even returning captain Katie McCabe, who had struggled for long periods, was energised by the remarkable turn of events.
The obvious caveat, that the already qualified French were more interested in the Olympics, may be applied by some. A point that includes logic but lacks emotion.
France emptied the bench late on, and a simple triangle on the right flank undid the Republic with 11 minutes remaining.
The Republic of Ireland’s Anna Patten celebrates with her team-mates after scoring against France
Delphine Cascarino and Kadidiatou Diani effected a one-two before the latter’s cross was bundled home by Vicki Becho at the far post.
Diani almost levelled matters when a shot scorched the earth, whizzing beyond Courtney Brosnan’s right-hand post.
But the Republic, stirringly, would not be denied in front of 18,399 delirious fans when Patten put the seal on a famous result.
After the Under-19s began their European Championship campaign by holding the champions Spain scoreless, it has been quite a few days for the international game.
France had already qualified for Euro 2025 by dint of their dominant win against Sweden and changed their entire line-up; at times, it seemed they had only met in the tunnel minutes beforehand.
The Republic’s Euro hopes relied on a rudimentary precipice; hoping for Poland to remain four goals behind them.
Iceland’s early lead would cheer them and even, perhaps, the watching Heimir Hallgrimsson, as this will provide them with an easier two-game Play-Off route to Switzerland.
This spectacular result will galvanise their ambitions to reach a second successive major tournament.