UEFA Nations League Group B
Hungary v Republic of Ireland, Hidegkuti Nandor Stadium, Tuesday, 6.30pm
TV
Watch live coverage from 6pm on RTÉ2 and RTÉ Player.
RADIO
Listen to live commentary on RTÉ 2fm.
ONLINE
Follow updates via a live blog on RTÉ.ie/Sport and the RTÉ News app.
WEATHER
Sunny and dry in Budapest on Tuesday with light breezes. Highs of 27 degrees.
Game two for the Republic of Ireland after Saturday's encouraging victory over Northern Ireland in Dublin.
There was undoubtedly a feel-good factor surrounding the fixture on Lansdowne Road as 35,944 people smashed the attendance record at a women's international in Ireland.
The Girls in Green managed three goals but could have scored more as they delivered a solid performance following the controversy over comments made by Diane Caldwell in the build up.
The defender had criticised Vera Pauw and suggested that the team had qualified for the summer's World Cup in spite of the Dutch woman's management, rather than because of it.
Many felt that it was refreshing to hear some actual opinion, rather than some of the usual platitudes that can be spouted at press events.
Others felt that it should have been discussed in private and that it put undue pressure onto Caldwell and her teammates. If there was kernel of truth in the latter point of view, the 3-0 victory was a good way to show that this squad can deal with the added expectation which qualifying for the World Cup has brought.
What it means is that Ireland are top of the group after one game, with Albania and tonight's opponents Hungary having drawn their opening clash on Saturday.
Promotion from League B of the Nations League would give Ireland a greater chance of securing automatic qualification for Euro 2025 when that campaign begins next year.
RTÉ Sport's Raf Diallo has a detailed look at the permutations here but essentially there are automatic spots available for the teams that do well in League A, and an, in theory, easier draw for League A sides who still have to go through the play-offs to get to Switzerland.
Saturday also saw the return of Tyler Toland after being ostracised under Pauw for nearly four years.
"All I can say is I'm absolutely delighted to be back and nothing makes me more proud to play for my country," said the 22-year-old.
Debutant Caitlin Hayes spoke of her pride of donning the green of Ireland, the country of her grandfather, in the aftermath and she'll be hopeful of seeing action again on Tuesday.
"I think I did alright but there are areas of improvement," she admitted.
"Sometimes we were nervous on the ball but that come with the occasion. I can give more and want to be the team member that this time needs and deserves."
Interim coach Eileen Gleeson was positive as she spoke in the build up to the game, declaring that a win was the aim.
"Hungary will be a difficult opponent and playing at home gives them an extra edge," she said.
"We won't take anything for granted as we aim for another three points."
She has a full squad to choose from after the game on Saturday with the squad flying out from Dublin soon after the game ended.
Opposition Watch
Seven of the starting XI for Hungary on Saturday ply their trade in the Noi NB I, the top flight of their women's national league, with two of the four subs also playing for clubs in that division.
Of the other four starters, Hanna Nemeth and Dora Zeller play in the Bundesliga with Werder Bremen and Koln respectively, Zsanett Bernadet Kajan plays in Serie A with Fiorentina while Emoke Papai plays in the Swiss Super League with Grasshopper. Virag Nagy (Sassuolo) and Gloria Siber (Wimbledon) also came off the bench in Shkoder.
Hungary have never qualified for a major championships, finishing fourth in their qualifier group for the last Euros in 2022, and fourth in their 2023 World Cup qualifying group also. They played Scotland, who Ireland beat in the play-off at Hampden last year, in that group, losing 2-0 at home and 2-1 in Scotland.
Their manger is German Margret Kratz.
Ireland Squad
Goalkeepers: Courtney Brosnan (Everton), Grace Moloney (London City Lionesses), Megan Walsh (West Ham United)
Defenders: Louise Quinn (Birmingham City), Diane Caldwell (FC Zurich), Caitlin Hayes (Celtic), Claire O'Riordan (Standard Liege), Savannah McCarthy (Shamrock Rovers), Éabha O’Mahony (University of Texas), Hayley Nolan (Crystal Palace), Chloe Mustaki (Bristol City)
Midfielders: Katie McCabe (Arsenal), Denise O’Sullivan (North Carolina Courage), Tyler Toland (Blackburn Rovers), Jamie Finn (Birmingham City), Megan Connolly (Bristol City), Lily Agg (Birmingham City), Heather Payne (Everton), Lucy Quinn (Birmingham City), Marissa Sheva (Washington Spirit), Izzy Atkinson (West Ham United)
Forwards: Kyra Carusa (San Diego Wave), Abbie Larkin (Glasgow City), Amber Barrett (Standard Liege), Saoirse Noonan (Durham WFC), Emily Whelan (Glasgow City)
Watch Hungary v Republic of Ireland in the UEFA Nations League on Tuesday from 6pm on RTÉ2 and RTÉ Player, follow a live blog on RTÉ.ie/Sport and the RTÉ News app or listen to live commentary on RTÉ 2fm
Listen to the RTÉ Soccer podcast on Apple Podcasts, Spotify or wherever you get your podcasts.
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