Eoin Harrington reporting from Tallaght Stadium
Ireland 1-0 Hungary
Tallaght Stadium was braced by one of the coldest football nights in recent memory on Friday evening, as Ireland hosted Hungary in their final home fixture of a memorable 2023.
With top spot in their UEFA Women's Nations League B group already secured thanks to four wins from their first four matches, there was a feel good atmosphere among the 6,752 fans in attendance at kick-off in Dublin as temperatures dipped below 0.
Ruesha Littlejohn started for her first appearance since the World Cup in Australia, while Megan Connolly, Izzy Atkinson, and Heather Payne all also returned to the starting XI after starting on the bench in the deluge in Albania.
The first-half was not Ireland's finest hour under Eileen Gleeson - likely taking charge of the team for the final time on home soil on Friday night.
Ireland were sloppy in possession, and looked nervy in defence on several occasions in the opening 45, but weathered the storm to maintain the stalemate at the break.
They calmed somewhat after the break, though Hungary's setup was impressive in stifling the Ireland attack. Ultimately the breakthrough came from an own goal by Hungarian captain Henrietta Csiszar, and thereafter Ireland settled to take win five from five of the campaign.
READ HERE: Eileen Gleeson Tight-Lipped On Prospect Of Staying In Ireland Job
READ HERE: Steve Bruce: No Official Approach Yet From FAI Over Ireland Job
Ireland player ratings as WNT freeze out Hungary in Tallaght
Courtney Brosnan - 7
With Ireland disorganised and sloppy at times in front of her, Brosnan was a source of calm in the defence. Made a good stop early on and commanded her box whenever Hungary threatened.
Caitlin Hayes - 7
Allowed Fenyesi in behind early on, but settled thereafter. Strong in the tackle, and assured as always with the ball at her feet. Got even more confident with her passing after the break, and her long balls in behind caused Hungary problems.
Came close to putting Ireland ahead twice when she met corners from Connolly with strong headers either side of the break. Ireland's strongest defensive presence, and at the heart of their play down the right-hand side as they improved going forward in the second-half.
Louise Quinn - 6
1 December 2023; Louise Quinn of Republic of Ireland in action against Luca Papp of Hungary during the UEFA Women's Nations League B match between Republic of Ireland and Hungary at Tallaght Stadium in Dublin. Photo by Seb Daly/Sportsfile
Commanding presence but sometimes struggled to find the right ball when she won possession back.
Mostly solid, but a little nervy on the ball at times. Hungary's attacking threat dwindled in the second-half, thanks in no small part to the efforts of Quinn at the heart of the Irish back three.
Megan Connolly - 6
Good under pressure in the early stages, but allowed Csiszar to dance past her after 20 minutes to create Hungary's best chance of the first half.
Strong with the ball at her feet. Her delivery into the box was consistently threatening, and she did well to find Ireland runners in behind throughout. Similar to Quinn, her defensive work improved in the second period as Hungary's threat was nullified.
Heather Payne - 7.5
1 December 2023; Heather Payne of Republic of Ireland in action against Viktória Szabó of Hungary during the UEFA Women's Nations League B match between Republic of Ireland and Hungary at Tallaght Stadium in Dublin. Photo by Ben McShane/Sportsfile
Made very intelligent runs and found clever passes throughout. Strong defensively too. Sent Denise O'Sullivan through for a great chance on 35 minutes.
On a night where Ireland were nervy and indecisive in possession, Payne was calm, and was consistently able to break through Hungary's press.
65 min: Ireland 1-0 Hungary - cross from Heather Payne is fumbled by the Hungarian keeper before her captain deflects the ball in @WEURO #soccer #rtesport #COYGIG
📱 Updates: https://t.co/x9hF4Z3zlS
📺 Watch live:https://t.co/XnOP6grnB7
📻 Listen live: https://t.co/6cFzxLzMuv pic.twitter.com/P8Q4xWHiMe— RTÉ Sport (@RTEsport) December 1, 2023
It was her whipped delivery into the box that led to Csiszar's disastrous own-goal, after lovely link-up play with Sinead Farrelly. A hugely impressive showing on her return to the starting XI.
Tyler Toland - 5
Has been excellent in this campaign but did not enjoy one of her stronger performances. Gave away two fouls in the first-half and struggled to find meaningful time on the ball.
The middle of the park was where Ireland struggled most, thanks to Hungary's excellent pressure and stifling setup, and Toland struggled to make any impact on the game.
Subbed off just after the hour.
Ruesha Littlejohn - 5
Making her first Ireland appearance since the final game of the World Cup in Australia. Initially adjusted well early on, but she began to struggle a touch with tracking Hungarian runners. Sloppy pass after 22 minutes let Hungary in behind for a big chance.
Looked a bit lost at points in the midfield, and was subbed off early in the second-half.
Izzy Atkinson - 6
1 December 2023; Izzy Atkinson of Republic of Ireland in action against Dóra Zeller of Hungary during the UEFA Women's Nations League B match between Republic of Ireland and Hungary at Tallaght Stadium in Dublin. Photo by Seb Daly/Sportsfile
Got on the ball a lot in the first-half, just as she did in the two games against Albania. Atkinson possesses a terrific ability to create chances out of nothing with her darting runs, and her delivery into the box consistently threatened the Hungarian defence early on.
Once again subbed off shortly after half-time, after struggling to make the same impact in the early in the second period.
Denise O'Sullivan - 7.5
Best chance so far for Ireland, Denise O'Sullivan through and forces Hungarian keeper Szőcs into a smart save #rtesport @WEURO @FAIWomen
📱 Updates: https://t.co/SPWoQPO7mF
📺 Watch live:https://t.co/b2OI4OoWVJ
📻 Listen live: https://t.co/VgaQpwGjHu pic.twitter.com/fs5L3dywNr— RTÉ Sport (@RTEsport) December 1, 2023
Industrious in the opening phase of the game, and seemed to have been given permission to stay higher up the pitch. Struggled to get on the ball as the first-half progressed thanks to Hungary's excellent midfield press.
Nonetheless, she had one of Ireland's best chances of the first period on 35 minutes after being set through by Heather Payne, and drew a good save from Szocs in the Hungarian goal.
She grew into the game more as the second period progressed, and was the beating heart of Ireland's attack, especially in the moments after Csiszar's own goal.
Had some stylish moments, and perhaps looked more assured on the ball than any other Ireland attacker. Different class.
Katie McCabe - 5.5
Playing much higher than initially advertised, almost as a second striker with Carusa. Nervy defensive moment after 20 minutes as both her and Connolly were bypassed by Csiszar, who came close to opening the scoring.
She has undoubtedly been the star of this campaign, but this was not her finest showing in an Ireland shirt. Struggled to find space and was dispossessed several times. Her best moments came from dead ball situations.
Kyra Carusa - 6
1 December 2023; Kyra Carusa of Republic of Ireland evades the tackle of Hungary goalkeeper Réka Szocs during the UEFA Women's Nations League B match between Republic of Ireland and Hungary at Tallaght Stadium in Dublin. Photo by Seb Daly/Sportsfile
Read the play well to intercept a back pass in the 11th minute, just couldn't force the ball in. A strong physical presence up front but Hungary had her well marshalled in the first-half. Did well to draw several fouls late in the first-half.
Substitutes
Lucy Quinn (on for Izzy Atkinson 56') - 6
Made strong runs in behind but didn't get too much time on the ball.
Jamie Finn (on for Ruesha Littlejohn 56') - 6
A calming presence in midfield after the at-times panicked first-half. Did well to shut down the Hungarian influence in the middle of the park.
Sinead Farrelly (on for Tyler Toland 64') - 6
Linked up well with Payne in the lead-up to Ireland's only goal. Impressive with the ball at her feet.
SEE ALSO: Richard Dunne Hints That Andre Onana Should Learn From Caoimhín Kelleher Performance
