Late O'Sullivan strike in the Albanian rain seals Ireland's promotion
WOMEN’S UEFA NATIONS LEAGUE B: ALBANIA…0 IRELAND…1 (Denise O’Sullivan 88)
Denise O’Sullivan’s late winner has secured Ireland promotion to next year’s top tier of Euro qualifiers after a rain-interrupted win in Albania.
O'Sullivan's goal, coupled with the draw between Northern Ireland and Hungary, ensured Ireland finish top of the group with two games to spare.
This fourth straight win in the Nations League group was delayed by a thunderstorm that erupted during the first half in Shkodër, causing a 90-minute delay before the second-half kicked off.
The first half ended in farcical fashion as players navigated the puddles immersing the Loro Borici Stadium pitch.
Though it wasn’t raining goals for Ireland, Corkwoman O’Sullivan popped up with two minutes left to grab the points with her 20th international goal.
Ireland, under caretaker boss Eileen Gleeson, had endured a frustrating evening against the bottom sides they’d walloped 5-1 at Tallaght on Friday.
Two interval substitutes, Heather Payne and Jamie Finn, along with Izzy Atkinson introduced just past hour, helped to stretch the limited opposition whose goalkeeper Viona Rexhepi repelled Ireland on several occasions.
That was until O’Sullivan freed Kyra Carusa on the right and darted into the box to receive a cross from her teammate before tucking the ball home from close range.
More to follow…
ALBANIA (4-5-1): V Rexhepi; A Hilaj, S Maliqi, A Curraj, L Gjini; G Berisha, Q Krasniqi-, E Franja, M Doci, K Maksuti; A Tukaj.
IRELAND (3-4-2-1): C Brosnan; C Hayes, L Quinn, D Caldwell; A Larkin (Izzy Atkinson 63), S Farrelly (J Finn 46), T Toland K McCabe; D O’Sullivan, E McLaughlin (Heather Payne 46); K Carusa.
Referee: Araksya Saribekyan (ARM).
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