Courtney Brosnan: 8
The goalkeeper did everything right for Ireland. She handled everything with ease and was in the right places to deal with the French forward line. Brosnan only made one mistake, by coming off her line and going for a ball on the right hand side of the pitch. The goalkeeper was saved by France hitting the side netting. Regardless of this, it was an excellent showing from Brosnan.
Louise Quinn: 6
A solid performance overshadowed by one moment. The defender went forward to challenge Kenza Dali and that created space for Eugenie Le Somme to score France's second goal in the third minute of injury time at the end of the first half.
Niamh Fahey: 6
The defender carried out her duties, with the only dampener on her night being the defender losing her marker for the second goal. Le Sommer got away from Fahey, went into the space that Louise Quinn vacated, and made it 2-0.
Megan Connolly: 7
The defender hardly put a foot wrong in defence during her time on the pitch. Her night was complimented by a number of set pieces that she took, and each one caused major problems for France.
Ruesha Littlejohn: 7
It mightn’t be the most visibly pleasing position on the pitch, but Littlejohn did what was needed in her role as traffic warden. She broke up play which greatly disrupted Les Bleues’ attempts at playing through the middle.
Denise O’Sullivan: 8
The Irish centurion was everywhere for Ireland, as she covered holes in front of the defence and linked up play in the middle of the park. Her close control of the ball, a hallmark of O’Sullivan’s style of play, was on show for everyone to see.
Katie McCabe: 7
The full-back has only been with the squad since the Zambia game and she showed no signs of rust as she returned to the pitch. The Ireland captain commanded the left hand side of the pitch, and there was a noticeable difference when she was forced off with an ankle injury.
Heather Payne: 6
The midfielder did what she could during an energic first half for Ireland, but her energy levels dipped in the second half along with the general buzz inside the ground.
Sinead Farrelly: 6
A good first half but not a great one as Farrelly did what she was told on a difficult night for Ireland. While consistency is key, sometimes it’s individual moment that can turn things around.
Kyra Carusa: 7
The forward was a consistent source of frustration to the French back-line as she hung off the shoulder of the last defender and challenged the high-line. While she didn’t get a goal or an assist, she did everything expected of her.
Marrisa Sheva: 7
The striker, who plays her club football with Washington Spirit in the NSWL, never stopped running in the final third of the pitch. It was an energetic performance from a player that is still getting used to life in a green jersey.
Substitutes
Izzy Atkinson: 6
It was always going to be a difficult task replacing the Ireland captain. What made this worse was the fact that France’s first goal came down the left hand side of the pitch. Regardless of this, Atkinson slotted straight in and played seamlessly with those around her.
Claire O’Riordan: 6
By the time Pauw stared changing things around, the atmosphere was muted while France savoured their lead. O’Riordan still gave it her all.
Lily Agg: 6
The midfielder came on and helped disrupt up play as Ireland stopped France from getting a fourth goal.
Aine O’Gorman: 6
The Shamrock Rovers defender showed she was playing at home by immediately integrating with those around her.
Abbie Larkin: 6
The teenager showed no fear against one of the best teams in Europe, a group that got to the semi-finals of last year’s European Championships. A solid cameo from the Shamrock Rovers forward.
