Saoirse ⁣Noonan Set to Make history in Ireland’s⁢ Nations League Clash

Updated June 03, 2025

Saoirse Noonan is poised to achieve ‍a unique milestone, becoming⁣ the first athlete to compete ⁤in both inter-county Gaelic football and a senior international soccer match‍ at SuperValu Páirc Uí Chaoimh. She starts for the Republic of Ireland in ⁤their crucial Nations League game against Slovenia.

Noonan will partner with Kyra Carusa in the attack as Ireland seeks a decisive victory against Slovenia, ⁣who defeated them 4-0 earlier this⁣ year.⁤ The Ireland women’s national team must secure a ⁣win by a four-goal margin to⁤ win the group and advance to ⁢League⁣ A. ⁢Failing that, Carla Ward’s team will face a two-leg⁣ playoff against ⁤a third-placed League A team for promotion or relegation.

Emily Murphy, who scored the winning goal against Turkey, joins the midfield in⁣ what appears⁣ to be ⁤a ⁤3-5-2 formation. Megan ‍Connolly and Denise O’sullivan will anchor the midfield, while Abbie Larkin retains her starting position⁢ after a ⁤strong ⁣performance in Istanbul. Caitlin Hayes ⁤earns her ⁣first start under Ward, ⁤replacing Aoife Mannion, who is nursing a minor quad injury.

Veteran defender Louise Quinn ⁤will make ‍her final ⁤appearance⁣ on the bench before retiring.

Starting ⁤Lineups

Republic ⁢of Ireland: ⁣ Courtney ⁢Brosnan; Anna Patten, Caitlin Hayes, Jessie⁤ stapleton; Abbie ‍Larkin, Denise O’Sullivan, Megan‍ Connolly, Emily Murphy, Katie ⁢McCabe (Capt); Kyra Carusa, Saoirse Noonan

Slovenia: Zala Mersnik; Sara Agriz Krizaj, lana Golob, Dominika Conc (CAPT); Spela Kolbl, Sara Makovec, ⁢Kaja Korosec, Lara Prasnikar, Kaja Erzen; Zara Kramzar, ⁣Maja⁢ Sternad

Match Officials

The referee for the match⁢ is Miriama Bockova from Slovakia.

What’s ‍next

Following ⁤this crucial Nations League match, the Republic of Ireland team ⁤will focus on the promotion/relegation play-offs in the autumn,⁣ should they not achieve‍ the ⁤required result ‍against ⁤Slovenia. The team will also be looking to ⁤integrate new players and refine their strategy ⁢under coach Carla‍ Ward.