Katie McCabe scored a hat-trick. Image: Ryan Byrne/INPHO Katie McCabe scored a hat-trick. Image: Ryan Byrne/INPHO Republic of Ireland 9 Georgia 0 A WIN WAS expected, but the message was to temper expectations.
This rescheduled qualifier was in Gori, and posed a slightly different challenge for the Girls In Green with players out-of-season, the hosts strengthened by the return of key players that missed out last time due to Covid-19, and hot conditions to be contended with. Established number one Courtney Brosnan started in goal, as expected. Diane Caldwell returned to the defence alongside Quinn and Fahey as Ireland lined out in a 3-4-2-1 formation, with Heather Payne reverting to right wing-back and West Ham-bound Jess Ziu further up that flank.McCabe owned the left, expertly linking up with O’Sullivan, as Ruesha Littlejohn and Player of the Match Connolly set up camp in the middle.
When the Georgians weren’t desperately defending, they were poor in attack. Lela Chichinadze, who was previously booked for a tackle on Ziu, and Ana Cheminava had two very tame efforts, as they resorted to hitting and hoping. At the other end, O’Sullivan and McCabe weren’t just as clinical as Ireland experienced a bit of a lull, sloppy at times.
Other moments of note early in the second half were Payne seeing yellow for a crunching challenge on Natia Danelia and Gabunianet twice keeping O’Sullivan, and then Connolly and Barrett, out.Rugby Analysis Get Murray Kinsella's match analysis and Garry Doyle's updates from New Zealand exclusive to membersShortly after the hour-mark, Pauw rung the changes.
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