skip to main content

Player Ratings: Amber Barrett and Courtney Brosnan golden in Glasgow for Ireland on historic night

Updated / Tuesday, 11 Oct 2022 22:22
Amber Barrett after opening the scoring for Ireland
Amber Barrett after opening the scoring for Ireland

When Republic of Ireland kicked off at Hampden Park, Vera Pauw's side knew victory over Scotland could carry them on a direct route to a first ever World Cup.

Results went their way and, with everything on the line, they delivered collectively and individually in a tense, tough and cagey play-off in Glasgow.

Here's how Ireland's history-makers fared in the 1-0 win...

The Irish starters in Glasgow

Courtney Brosnan - 9

She had little to do for the first 12 minutes but then suddenly had to face a penalty after Niamh Fahey's unfortunate handball. But the Everton goalkeeper, who has established herself as the clear number one under Vera Pauw, made a superb save, springing to her left and stopping Caroline Weir's spot kick to prevent the Irish side from falling behind on away soil.

Had one worrying moment shortly after that when she rushed out to try and get the ball ahead of Scottish forward Martha Thomas but avoided the concession of another penalty after colliding with the player.

Dealt with Weir's long range shot on 57 minutes. There was a worrying moment just after that as the American-born player went down with a leg issue but she was able to continue and she would be needed as the pressure cranked up in defence of a one-goal advantage.

A good save was made two minutes after Ireland opened the scoring as the Scots began to attack relentlessly. Was a commanding presence in coming out to claim crosses and corners into her zone right until the elation of the final whistle.

Niamh Fahey - 8

Back in the team after an injury-enforced absence in the last window, the Liverpool defender was penalised on 12 minutes for handball when a cross deflected up into her hand.

That moment aside, Fahey was a solid presence on the right side of an experienced centre-back trio.

At the other end, she was the first player to get her head on Megan Campbell's final throw-in of the first half, only to see her goal-bound effort desperately cleared off the line by Sophie Howard.

Like her defensive colleagues, the start of the second half was more nervous with Scotland piling on the pressure. Made a good block on 69 minutes, shuffling across to support Jamie Finn and prevent a cross from coming in and put everything on the line until the end.

Louise Quinn - 8

Made a crucial headed intervention on 23 minutes after a dangerous cross from the right by Scotland winger Fiona Brown. As the central cog in the back three, she marshalled things well in the first half and continued in that vein as the Scottish pressure increased in the second half.

One of many to make vital blocks in the closing stages, including one at the edge of the Irish box to deny sub Abi Harrison from point blank range.

Diane Caldwell - 8

A composed presence on the left side of the central trio at the back. She almost scored during the goalmouth scramble at the end of the first half but not for the first time in that passage of play, Scotland's combination of goalkeeper and defenders cleared the ball off the line.

Got in the way of a goal-bound shot just after Ireland took the lead as the Scots frantically attacked. Getting to a World Cup is just rewards for a long time stalwart of the Irish game. Her brief spell at Manchester United was a "dream". This trumps that for sure.

Jamie Finn - 7

With Scotland seeing more of the ball in the first half, Finn's work-rate meant few Scottish chances came down the right side of the Irish defence. Had mixed fortunes with distribution into the channels with Heather Payne largely the only option in the first half.

She made a vital intervention on 79 minutes when she got there first after a dangerous cross from the right flank.

Megan Campbell - 8

Her typically long throws into the Scottish box were one of the weapons Ireland looked to use. And in the 27th minute of the game, indeed her throw from the right flank went all the way through and into the back of the net. Unfortunately with no player - Irish or Scottish - touching the ball on the way, it was ruled out.

Two more epic throws created chances for Ireland just before the break. The first eventually fell to Heather Payne who couldn't keep her shot down and then from the left flank, another medieval catapult of a delivery caused utter chaos and an almighty goalmouth scramble in the Scottish area.

Was able to continue after a blow to the head as she helped the Irish defence deal with the waves of Scottish forays in pursuit of an equaliser.

Lily Agg - 7

Part of a combative Irish start to the game, she set the tone early pressing high up the pitch five minutes into the game and almost winning back possession at the edge of the Scottish area.

Regularly put the foot in to reclaim possession. Was one of the Irish players who was unlucky not to score after Megan Campbell's final long throw of the first half with goalkeeper Lee Gibson foiling her.

Exemplified the 'Tiger' mentality that manager Vera Pauw's has often lauded the team with during this campaign.

Denise O'Sullivan scored six goals for Ireland during the group campaign

Denise O'Sullivan - 7

Normally one of the creative sparks for Ireland, the cagey nature of the match and her deeper position in the formation required the other side of the Cork native's game as she sat in the middle alongside Agg, with her battling qualities to the fore in a tight first half.

Her winning of the ball high up in the Scottish half just on the hour mark almost opened up an opportunity for Ireland.

Finally on 71 minutes, O'Sullivan was able to lean on her creative qualities when she put Amber Barrett through with a superb pass into space for the opening goal.

Aine O'Gorman - 7

A first competitive start since almost this time last year for the experienced player, the tense nature of the game meant work-rate was always going to be more of a factor than creativity. But she was still on the end of two key chances in the first half.

The versatile Peamount United player missed a golden opportunity in the 35th minute when she drifted inside and got her head onto an inch-perfect cross from Katie McCabe. Unfortunately, the effort went over the bar from close range.

Went close with a shot from just inside the box after cutting inside onto her left foot not long after. Like Caldwell, a loyal servant to the Irish game has been suitably rewarded tonight.

Katie McCabe - 7

Ireland's captain fantastic and top scorer during the group campaign, the Arsenal star helped relieve pressure a couple of times in the early stages with quick feet which won free-kicks in the Irish half.

Put in a superb cross 10 minutes before half-time from the left towards the six-yard box but Aine O'Gorman couldn't keep the header down and another delivery shortly before half-time also led to worries for the Scots.

A strong tackle on the left flank saw her win the ball back and release substitute Amber Barrett down the channel and she was instrumental in the battle to hold onto the lead.

Payne made herself a nuisance for the Scottish defence

Heather Payne - 7

Had an early sighter with a shot from distance. The central striker role in the current Irish system is a selfless one aimed at pressing, running the channels and creating space for supporting players and Payne did that willingly.

One brief glimmer of an opportunity emerged on the half hour mark when a long pass forward found her in space but she wasn't able to capitalise as a Scottish defender got across. Just after that, she proved a nuisance to the Scots again after an errant header back reached her.

In combination with McCabe, a chance was almost fashioned down the left flank two minutes before the break. A long throw from Megan Campbell then flew back to her too quickly before she could adjust and fired a shot over the bar from 10 yards out.

After a hard-working display, she departed the fray 20 minutes into the second '45.

Substitutes

Amber Barrett (for Payne '65) - 8

The Donegal native picked up where Heather Payne left off in reprising the pressing forward role. And five minutes after coming on, the Germany-based striker showed composure after being played in by Denise O'Sullivan's excellent through ball and placed the ball into the bottom corner of Lee Gibson's net.

In an emotional time for her people in her home county, her goal celebration was in tribute to the people of Creeslough. She was Stephanien Roche's Player of the Match for the profound and historic impact her goal has made. What a moment for the 26-year-old.

Watch the FAI Cup semi-finals, Derry City v Treaty United and Waterford FC v Shelbourne, live on RTÉ2 and RTÉ Player from 1.45 pm on Sunday, listen to live updates on Sunday Sport on RTÉ Radio 1 with live blog on RTÉ.ie/sport and RTÉ News app

Listen to the RTÉ Soccer podcast on Apple Podcasts, Spotify or wherever you get your podcasts.

More stories on

Read Next