As Ireland trailed France 1-0 in the closing stages of Friday night's EURO 2025 qualifier in Metz, a golden opportunity presented itself for Katie McCabe to equalise. Unfortunately, the pass never arrived.
There was little in the form of attacking threat from the Irish side, as an excellent France side enjoyed the possession they had been widely expected to have in the qualifying opener.
However, in the closing stages, a second wind of energy saw Ireland push higher up the pitch and put some pressure on the French backline.
A nervy clearance from France 'keeper Pauline Peyraud-Magnin was intercepted by Lucy Quinn, who sent Leanne Kiernan charging towards the French penalty area. McCabe was completely unmarked, and the sole player in the area - but Kiernan failed to get her head up and spot her, instead blazing a shot wide of the post.
Full-time: France 1-0 Ireland - chance near the end for Leanne Kiernan but she had options in the box
Recap: https://t.co/PGzhzcoHEP #rtesoccer #COYGIG pic.twitter.com/9KQEJKxcLh— RTÉ Sport (@RTEsport) April 5, 2024
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It was the best (and, in truth, only) chance of the game for Ireland in Metz, and McCabe was absolutely fuming on the night. Her outraged cry to substitute Kiernan was audible from this author's vantage point high in the south stand press box.
On Monday, however, Ireland captain McCabe played down the incident, and said that Ireland were looking to take more general learnings from their shortcomings in France last week.
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Ireland WNT: Katie McCabe plays down major Leanne Kiernan mistake in defeat to France
5 April 2024; Katie McCabe of Republic of Ireland reacts during the UEFA Women's European Championship qualifying group A match between France and Republic of Ireland at Stade Saint-Symphorien in Metz, France. Photo by Stephen McCarthy/Sportsfile
Speaking to Balls.ie and the Irish media on Monday, Katie McCabe and Eileen Gleeson reflected on Friday's defeat in Metz as well as looking ahead to tomorrow's game against England in the Aviva Stadium.
McCabe was asked to comment on the missed opportunity from teammate Leanne Kiernan to square her the ball. The Arsenal star said that, despite her outraged reaction on the night, it was just one of several moments during the game she felt she and her teammates could have done better:
I think obviously that chance was highlighted around social media but we had other chances as well where we could have done better and being more decisive going forward.
As a group and collectively we’ve looked at moments in the game where we could be better, whether it is in that attacking area or establishing play.
I’m not going into major examples but there is definitely moments where we can be better and hopefully we can implement that tomorrow night.
On the night, head coach Gleeson had indeed highlighted Kiernan's wild shot as a major miss in Ireland's hunt for an equaliser.
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Speaking to Balls.ie in the mixed zone post-match at the Stade Saint-Symphorien, Gleeson said:
In the second half we put them under a bit more pressure. By the end, we could have maybe nicked a goal with a little bit of better decision making from Leanne to Katie.
It now seems as though the squad are ready to put the miss against France behind them and focus on the next game. Kiernan has been an impressive player when she has lined out in an Ireland jersey and was only denied a winner in February's friendly against Italy by the tightest of offside calls.
She will be expected to feature again tomorrow night in Dublin, whether that be off the bench or from the start.
The FAI announced on Monday morning that Jess Ziu has been withdrawn from the squad and replaced with Emily Whelan - Ziu had been struggling with a hamstring strain in France and has not recovered in time.
Elsewhere, Eileen Gleeson confirmed that Amber Barrett remains with the squad despite limping off only nine minutes after coming in from the bench on Friday night. Gleeson said that Barrett's fitness will be assessed before a decision is made on any potential involvement on Tuesday for the Standard Liege striker.
Over 30,000 fans are expected in the Aviva Stadium on Tuesday, as Ireland host England in an historic EURO 2025 qualifier, the first meeting of the sides since 1987.
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