Ireland are on the verge of history but there is still a major obstacle between them and a place at the Women's Euros next summer.
Eileen Gleeson's side are looking to become the first Irish team in history to reach the European Championships, with a two-legged playoff against Wales set to decide their fate.
The Welsh have never qualified for a major tournament and Gleeson will hope that the experience of this Ireland team at the 2023 World Cup will stand to them.
However, an ever-improving Wales got the better of Ireland in Tallaght earlier this year. Even with Ireland as favourites, the margins are perilously tight ahead of what could be a nail-biting tie for Irish fans.
We've picked the starting XI that we think has the best chance of getting the playoff off to the perfect start in Cardiff on Friday night.
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The Ireland team we want to see v Wales on Friday
Formation: 3-4-1-2
Almost every big game under Eileen Gleeson has seen a back three deployed for Ireland and, even with Aoife Mannion ruled out through injury, that is unlikely to change in Cardiff.
The use of a four in midfield and CAM in front should allow Denise O'Sullivan some attacking freedom.
GK: Courtney Brosnan
29 October 2024; Republic of Ireland goalkeeper Courtney Brosnan after the UEFA Women's EURO 2025 Play-Off Round 1 second leg match between Republic of Ireland and Georgia at Tallaght Stadium in Dublin. Photo by Stephen McCarthy/Sportsfile
A no-brainer. Ireland's most consistent player of the last 18 months, Courtney Brosnan will be among the very first names on the team sheet.
RCB: Caitlin Hayes
29 October 2024; Caitlin Hayes of Republic of Ireland during the UEFA Women's EURO 2025 Play-Off Round 1 second leg match between Republic of Ireland and Georgia at Tallaght Stadium in Dublin. Photo by Ben McShane/Sportsfile
Another of Ireland's more consistent performers, Caitlin Hayes has recovered from a brief dip in form earlier this year and was particularly impressive in last month's double-header against Georgia.
With Aoife Mannion out injured, Hayes can push to the right of the back three.
CB: Anna Patten
29 October 2024; Anna Patten of Republic of Ireland during the UEFA Women's EURO 2025 Play-Off Round 1 second leg match between Republic of Ireland and Georgia at Tallaght Stadium in Dublin. Photo by Stephen McCarthy/Sportsfile
Though Aston Villa have endured a difficult start to the WSL season, Anna Patten has been a consistent starter at the highest level, even getting on the scoresheet in their dramatic first win of the season against Crystal Palace last week.
Her first international goal - the third in July's win over France - was just reward for an impressive start to life for the Girls in Green. Will likely anchor the defence for both legs.
LCB: Megan Connolly
16 July 2024; Megan Connolly of Republic of Ireland after the 2025 UEFA Women's European Championship qualifying group A match between Republic of Ireland and France at Páirc Uí Chaoimh in Cork. Photo by Stephen McCarthy/Sportsfile
Megan Connolly was used sparingly in her last window with Ireland in July and missed last month's playoffs against Georgia.
However, she has made herself a regular in Serie A, in a back three setup akin to that likely to be used by Eileen Gleeson on Friday. She has been a reliable performer for Ireland for several years and her experience - and versatility - should be called upon by Gleeson, whether in midfield or in the back three. The absence of Aoife Mannion and Connolly's freshness playing in a back three have us going for her alongside Hayes and Patten.
RWB: Heather Payne
29 October 2024; Heather Payne of Republic of Ireland in action against Sopiko Narsia of Georgia during the UEFA Women's EURO 2025 Play-Off Round 1 second leg match between Republic of Ireland and Georgia at Tallaght Stadium in Dublin. Photo by Stephen McCarthy/Sportsfile
One of the toughest calls in this team. Abbie Larkin and Marissa Sheeva both excelled down the right-flank during the October window, with Payne playing less than 45 minutes across the two games against Georgia.
However, Payne was the regular choice at right wing-back during the qualifying campaign, putting in some brilliant performances, and she has broken into a bright run of form with Everton in the WSL. Deserves to be given a chance from the start.
CM: Lily Agg
29 October 2024; Lily Agg of Republic of Ireland in action against Nino Bukhrikidze of Georgia during the UEFA Women's EURO 2025 Play-Off Round 1 second leg match between Republic of Ireland and Georgia at Tallaght Stadium in Dublin. Photo by Ben McShane/Sportsfile
There are several different permutations for the defensive duo in the middle of the park, with Megan Connolly, Ruesha Littlejohn, and Tyler Toland all in the mix to start at the base of Ireland's midfield.
However, Lily Agg has proven herself a brilliant asset in grittier games in recent months, putting in particularly bright performances against Sweden and France during the Nations League campaign. She brought fierce energy and tenacity to the Georgia semi-final, and that tenacity could be crucial against a dogged Welsh side.
CM: Jessie Stapleton
29 October 2024; Jessie Stapleton of Republic of Ireland during the UEFA Women's EURO 2025 Play-Off Round 1 second leg match between Republic of Ireland and Georgia at Tallaght Stadium in Dublin. Photo by Ben McShane/Sportsfile
Agg would be complimented well by Jessie Stapleton in midfield, with the Sunderland midfielder coming into her own during last month's games. She scored her first goal for her country in the first leg in Tbilisi, before a superb assist for Kyra Carusa in the Tallaght second leg. Defensively capable and forward-thinking, Stapleton has earned her spot.
LWB: Katie McCabe
29 October 2024; Katie McCabe of Republic of Ireland celebrates after scoring her side's third goal during the UEFA Women's EURO 2025 Play-Off Round 1 second leg match between Republic of Ireland and Georgia at Tallaght Stadium in Dublin. Photo by Stephen McCarthy/Sportsfile
Another no-brainer. After a poor start to 2024 with Ireland, a more familiar Katie McCabe has returned in recent months. In bright form with Arsenal, McCabe also got back to scoring form at international level last month, scoring three goals across the two games against Georgia. It is hugely encouraging to have McCabe in this form.
CAM: Denise O'Sullivan
16 July 2024; Denise O'Sullivan of Republic of Ireland celebrates after scoring her side's first goal during the 2025 UEFA Women's European Championship qualifying group A match between Republic of Ireland and France at Páirc Uí Chaoimh in Cork. Photo by David Fitzgerald/Sportsfile
The most important player in the attacking setup, there is no permutation of Ireland team that can reasonably exclude Denise O'Sullivan. Eileen Gleeson will hope for big things from her across both legs.
ST: Kyra Carusa
29 October 2024; Kyra Carusa of Republic of Ireland celebrates after scoring her side's second goal during the UEFA Women's EURO 2025 Play-Off Round 1 second leg match between Republic of Ireland and Georgia at Tallaght Stadium in Dublin. Photo by Stephen McCarthy/Sportsfile
It was great to see Kyra Carusa back in the Ireland camp last time out, and she was back in goalscoring form in both legs. Her hold-up play sets her apart from any of her rivals for a starting spot, and gives a different dynamic to Ireland's attack.
ST: Julie-Ann Russell
29 October 2024; Julie-Ann Russell of Republic of Ireland celebrates after scoring her side's first goal during the UEFA Women's EURO 2025 Play-Off Round 1 second leg match between Republic of Ireland and Georgia at Tallaght Stadium in Dublin. Photo by Ben McShane/Sportsfile
You wouldn't have thought Julie-Ann Russell was four years away from the team given how she burst into life in the July window of games against England and France.
With three goals in four games since coming back into the setup, Russell is in electric form and is likely to start on Friday night.
Our Ireland team in full
Abbie Larkin, Marissa Sheeva, Leanne Kiernan, and Tyler Toland can count themselves particularly unlucky to miss out. However, on the balance of things, this is the Ireland team we believe has the best chance of getting a result against Wales in Cardiff.
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