Katoto the difference as Ireland undone from early set-piece
Euro 2025 Group A3 Qualifier: France…1 (Marie Antoinette Katoto 6) Ireland…0
Denise O’Sullivan’s pre-match warning about the perils of switching off wasn’t heeded as Ireland lost their opening Euro 2025 qualifier off an early set-piece.
France possess an abundance of stars but they were gifted their solitary goal after six minutes from a Kenza Dali free was was bundled over the line of her Everton teammate Courtney Brosnan for Marie Antoinette Katoto’s 28th goal in 36 matches.
Given Ireland also conceded the opener last time out against Wales from a corner, getting the basics right is a must for the visit of England to Lansdowne Road on Tuesday.
As expected, containment framed Eileen Gleeson’s selection and tactics, with her formation reverting to 5-4-1 designed to congest the central areas.
Captain Katie McCabe was freed from her left-wing back berth but spent the vast majority of proceedings in her own half anyway to aid the rearguard action.
The choice of Aoife Mannion for that defensive berth seemed a tad risky given her unfamiliarity with the role. Identical to the men’s team, the female version are also spoilt for choice with centre-backs and there’s a temptation to prioritise quality rather than stick with positions.
There was a more natural look to Ireland’s spine at the start of the season half when Mannion switched to the right side of the back four. Megan Campbell was introduced into her orthodox left-sided role but it was at the expense of competitive debutant Emily Murphy.
Stationed on the right side of midfield, Murphy was simply unable to track back, exposing Heather Payne to an overload of French finesse. It would contribute to the opener being conceded after 321 seconds.
Payne is renowned for
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