Local hero Saoirse Noonan fires Ireland to win over Slovenia at SuperValu Páirc Uí Chaoimh

Republic of Ireland 1 Slovenia 0 

Saoirse Noonan was on target in her home turf as the Republic of Ireland defeated Slovenia at SuperValu Páirc Uí Chaoimh in the UEFA Women’s Nations League in front of 9,433 spectators.

Despite the result, it wasn’t enough to top the group, which means a place in the promotion play-offs for Carla Ward and her players.

Noonan, Denise O’Sullivan and Megan Connolly all started on an evening that began with the Girls in Green needing to score four times if they were to leapfrog Slovenia.

Things started well, with Ireland pushing up from kick-off and targeting the left wing. This led to a corner inside 90 seconds and Noonan saw a header stopped on the line by Zala Mersnik.

The Girls in Green went on to control the ball, while Slovenia sat back in a 3-5-2 formation that populated the penalty box with white jerseys.

The visitors' first attempt came from a Lara Prasnikar-led counter and the striker’s run was halted by Connolly and Jessie Stapleton as she crossed the halfway line.

Abbie Larkin responded by carving out a small opening and seeing her shot go straight into the hands of Mersnik.

Ireland kept going and out of this drive came the opening goal in the 19th minute. Stapleton set that up with a deep cross and Noonan finished the move with a looping header at the City End.

Emily Murphy got into a similar position during their next prolonged spell, and the midfielder knocked the ball down to Mersnik for a simple save.

The Girls in Green tried to finish the half strong with attempts falling to Connolly and Patten, but nothing was able to get in and really test Slovenia.

At the other end, Prasnikar tried her luck on the counter and Brosnan came out to deal with this.

The game restarted with a renewed push by the home side and repeated frustrations led to the introduction of Amber Barrett and Megan Campbell in the 61st minute in a bid to inject fresh energy into the Ireland team.

The problem was clear-cut opportunities, as Slovenia held firm while limiting space for any movement inside the box.

Ireland still went for it, while Barret and O’Sullivan were able to get in and draw fouls. It came down to a Campbell long throw in the dying seconds of injury time and this was caught by Mersnik at the Blackrock End.

IRELAND: Courtney Brosnan; Anna Patten, Caitlin Hayes, Jessie Stapleton, Abbie Larkin, Denise O’Sullivan, Megan Connolly, Emily Murphy, Katie McCabe, Kyra Caursa, Saoirse Noonan.

Subs: Megan Campbell for Stapleton (61); Amber Barett for Noonan (61), Louise Quinn for Larkin (79); Marrisa Sheva for Carusa (79).

SLOVENIA: Zala Mersnik; Sara Agrez Krizaj, Lana Golob, Dominika Conc; Spela Kolbl, Sara Makovec, Kaja Korosec, Lara Prasnikar, Kaja Erzen; Zara Kramzar, Maja Sternad.

Subs: Nina Kajzba for Sternad (67); Mateja Zver for Kramzar (87), Korina Janzes for Prasnikar (90). 

Referee: Miriama Bockova (Slovakia)