FRIDAY 23 FEBRUARY
International friendly
Italy v Ireland, Viola Park, Florence, 5.15pm
TV
There will be live coverage on the RTÉ News Channel and RTÉ Player from 5.10pm.
ONLINE
Live tracker on RTÉ.ie/sport and the RTÉ News app. Updates and match footage on RTÉ Sport social channels.
WEATHER
The game may be in Italy, but there will be a distinctly Irish feel to conditions. Temperatures are expected to be about 13c with some rain and a breeze expected.
NEW YEAR, NEW HOPES
All in all, 2023 was the most dramatic in the history of the Ireland WNT with a first-ever World Cup appearance and the subsequent untidy fall-out from it that eventually led to Vera Pauw's exit amid accusations of 'interference’ and counterclaims from the FAI.
Pauw’s former assistant Eileen Gleeson took on the role on an interim basis with the noises indicating that it would indeed just be a short stay, but one very successful UEFA Nations League campaign later and the gig was hers on a permanent basis.
That news arrived a week before Christmas, shortly after their closing 6-1 win over Northern Ireland in Belfast, and it should provide new solidity ahead of what will be their first match of 2024.
The build-up hasn’t been completely free of intrigue, Gleeson stonewalling questions about a potential return to her role as head of women's and girls' football in the future after reports of term changes.
However, after that chaotic 2023, the good and the bad, the squad will be hoping that the new year can bring an opportunity to put full focus on what’s happening on the pitch with the Italy game followed by a home game with Wales next Tuesday.
The Euro 2025 qualifiers, which kick off in April following the draw on 5 March, will quickly come into focus after the double-header, so it's time to start ramping things up.
ITALIANS TO PROVIDE A REAL TEST
Ireland’s first Nations League campaign saw six wins recorded from six games with 20 goals scored and just two conceded – but none of those sides were near the quality of this Italian side.
While Gleeson’s side were dominating in League B, the Italians were performing well in League A in a group that contained two of the top five ranked sides in the world, Spain and Sweden.
The most eye-catching result, undoubtedly, was a 3-2 win over the World Cup holders in Spain, but a second-place finish means that they’re not in semi-final action this weekend.
Andrea Soncin will be without a couple of key players for the clash as Roma pair Manuela Giugliano and Valentina Giacinti have returned to their club due to injuries. Both were amongst the goals in the Nations League.
It’s still a squad stacked with quality, not least goal-scorer supreme Barbara Bonansea and Arianna Caruso, their top scorer in last year’s World Cup – a competition that concluded with a group stage exit. Midfield general Giada Greggi is another player that will be high up on Gleeson’s opposition analysis.
There will be an emotional element for the hosts too as legend and captain Sara Gama will play her final game after nearly two decades representing the Azzurri.
The defender has seven goals in her previous 133 appearances and one of those came against Ireland in 2007 in the Algarve Cup.
This fixture also provided Katie McCabe with her first international goal in a 1-1 2016 Cyprus Cup draw, the only time the side have avoided defeat against the Italians.
RETURNING PLAYERS SET TO BOLSTER SQUAD DEPTH
Gleeson’s squad for the games against Italy and Wales includes a number of players who have had frustratingly long spells on the sidelines.
Defenders Niamh Fahey and Aoife Mannion, midfielder Jess Ziu and forward Leanne Kiernan all return following long-term injuries.
There are a couple of new faces in the squad too. Wake Forest University forward Emily Murphy, who qualifies through her Dublin-born father, is in for the first time having trained with the squad three years ago, although she is still awaiting international clearance.
Peamount United teenager Jess Fitzgerald is also involved after Denise O’Sullivan was ruled out with a bruised knee.
Louise Quinn has been passed fit after a scan on a shoulder injury last week. Jamie Finn is ruled out due to an ACL tear.
For Gleeson, the next few days will be less about the results, and more about discovering some genuine additional options for the forthcoming Euro qualifying campaign.
Republic of Ireland squad:
Goalkeepers: Courtney Brosnan (Everton), Grace Moloney (London City Lionesses), Sophie Whitehouse (Lewes)
Defenders: Jessie Stapleton (Reading – on loan from West Ham United), Diane Caldwell (FC Zurich), Niamh Fahey (Liverpool), Caitlin Hayes (Celtic), Louise Quinn (Birmingham City), Aoife Mannion (Manchester United), Megan Campbell (London City Lionesses)
Midfielders: Katie McCabe (Arsenal), Lily Agg (Birmingham City), Megan Connolly (Bristol City), Ruesha Littlejohn (London City Lionesses), Jamie Finn (Birmingham City), Heather Payne (Everton), Jess Ziu (West Ham United), Lucy Quinn (Birmingham City), Izzy Atkinson (Crystal Palace), Erin McLaughlin (Peamount United), Jess Fitzgerald (Peamount United)
Forwards: Kyra Carusa (San Diego Wave), Abbie Larkin (Crystal Palace), Amber Barrett (Standard Liege), Leanne Kiernan (Liverpool), Emily Murphy (Wake Forest University)
Watch Italy v Republic of Ireland in an international friendly on Friday from 5.10pm live on the RTÉ News Channel and RTÉ Player, follow a live blog on RTÉ.ie/Sport and the RTÉ News app
