The referee again was decisive and pointed to the spot. The Florida State Seminoles striker got to the byline before cutting back for the arriving O’Sullivan, who was chopped down as she checked her run. The home side, however, were handed a lifeline a minute before half-time.Ī great break from just inside the German half as Rianna Jarrett raced clear before rolling Payne in on the right side of the box. A couple of close calls threatened but Ireland just about kept in touch. Ireland barely got out of their half and the Germans could have gone further ahead with a bit more precision. However, the 1899 Hoffenheim forward picked up the loose ball, played a neat one-two, before placing her shot beyond the Irish keeper into the far corner of the net. Lovely play from the classy Linda Dallman outside the box, as she skipped through with ease, before slotting an inch-perfect ball through to the advanced Huth. The ball squared to the back post as Wassmuth arrived to force a fine save from Moloney. Ireland had no immediate answer and it was the Germans who enjoyed the next chance as Tabea Wassmuth raced clear, however, the alert Moloney cleaned out the danger taking ball then player, leaving the German forward prone on the Tallaght turf.īut the inevitable occurred in the 29th minute as yet another German attack heaped pressure on the Irish penalty box. Lina Magull stepped up to strike the spot-kick and slammed it right in the bottom corner, just beyond Moloney who had gone to her left but was beaten by the pace.

Moloney was called into action in the 17th minute with a testing ball in from the right, however, the Reading stopper came and collected to prevent the danger, looking composed and assured.īut the Irish task became a lot tougher in the 20th minute as McCabe adjudged to have fouled Huth and the referee was quick to point to the spot, despite the skipper’s protestations – the German dangled her leg looking for the contact and convinced the referee. Katie McCabe’s marauding run in the early exchanges was the best that Ireland could muster the captain’s stinging delivery from wide out left just evaded the arriving Denise O’Sullivan and Heather Payne.įifteen minutes on the clock and Ireland were coping admirably, with surprise-choice keeper Grace Moloney yet to be tested on her first competitive start for her country, while the manager’s brave move to start with two strikers was not leaving too many gaps and gave Ireland and interesting outlet up top. Ireland coped without too much concern, while a couple of well-hit efforts from distance did not threaten – Louise Quinn putting her body in the way of Svenja Huth's blast from just outside the box. Germany showed their credentials from the opening minute as they attacked at pace from both flanks and through the middle, putting pressure on the Ireland goal with two early corners. Ireland gave themselves a chance just before the break as Katie McCabe converted a penalty, however, a late third from the visitors ended the home side's hopes despite a truly plucky performance, most notably in the second half as they fought gamely to get a result. The world number two ranked side made their early pressure count as they took a commanding 2-0 lead after 29 minutes. Ireland's dream of reaching Euro 2022 ended at Tallaght Stadium as Vera Pauw’s side were beaten 3-1 by Germany in their final qualifying encounter.

Nott the brave vera