Oct 25,2024
As play-offs go, this is as low-key as it gets.
The Republic of Ireland are in Tbilisi for the first leg of their Euro 2025 play-off semi-final against Georgia with most observers assuming the two-legged clash is a formality.
That in itself poses a challenge to the visitors, who must guard against complacency and take care of business here before Tuesday's return game at Tallaght Stadium.
There's no getting away from the fact that the gulf looks so large that anything less than a very comfortable win for the Girls in Green would be surprising.
Georgia - ranked 118th in the world - have made some progress since they last met Ireland in the 2023 World Cup qualifiers when they lost 11-0 in Dublin and 9-0 in Gori.
Former Israel goalkeeper Iris Antman came in as head coach and organised the Georgians, stiffened them up. They accumulated 10 points from six games in Group C1 of the Euros qualifiers, beating Cyrpus (twice) and Lithuania. That was enough to send them through to the play-offs as one of the unseeded teams, which is a significant breakthrough for the minnows.
They will be committed and highly motivated, but Ireland - ranked 24th in the world - should still have far too much for their hosts.
Although Antman's charges ejoyed a few positive results in the qualifiers, they're now facing an Irish side arguably stronger than the one they took on two years ago.
There's real strength in depth in the ranks, which will be evident this evening given Gleeson is without a number of established figures.
Megan Campbell (ankle), Jess Ziu (knee), Ruesha Littlejohn (Achilles), Louise Quinn (hip), Megan Connnolly (hamstring) and Jamie Finn (knee) are all out, while Wake Forest have not released Emily Murphy for duty due to a clash with their own roster of games in the States. Goalkeeper Courtney Brosnan is suspended after accumulating too many yellows in the qualifiers, but there are quality deputies waiting for their chance.
Sophie Whitehouse could make her senior debut between the posts, albeit few would begrudge the long-serving Grace Moloney a start.
Aoife Mannion, Niamh Fahey and Jessie Stapleton (impressing on loan at Sunderland from West Ham) are all capable of slotting in for Quinn at the back alongside - most likely - Anna Patten and Caitlin Hayes.
Heather Payne returns after a spell on the sidelines, as does Kyra Carusa, who now has Julie-Ann Russell to compete with in the forward line. The Galway United star was a revelation in the last camp, scoring against England and France.
In the middle of the park, Blackburn Rovers skipper Tyler Toland will expect to get a runout alongside Denise O'Sullivan.
And the return of Ellen Molloy, so luckless on the injury front, is a welcome sight. The Sheffield United player has made a good start to the Championship campaign and will be hopeful of getting a few minutes at some stage.
Some patience may be required at the Mikheil Meskhi II Stadium. Gleeson admitted the message this week has been to do the basics well, move the ball quickly and have faith the goals will follow.
"It's an opportunity for other people to step up and take their opportunity."
Georgia are the lowest ranked nation Ireland could have drawn in the play-off semis.
This is a gentle hurdle on the road to Switzerland 2025, with the real test to come in November/December when either Wales or Slovakia will be waiting in the play-off final.
The Welsh are unbeaten in six games since Rhian Wilkinson took charge. Indeed, just before she was appointed they outclassed Ireland 2-0 in a Dublin friendly that will undoubtedly be revisited for analysis should we get a rematch in the play-offs.
That's for another day though as Katie McCabe and Co look to fill their boots against the weakest opposition they've faced in almost a year.
"As a goalscorer coming back into the squad, coming back from my injury as well, there's so much excitement that goes into this game," said Carusa yesterday.
"Especially as a striker, I'd say yeah I'm pretty excited. I'm always thinking of (goals) - memory of a goldfish though! Every five seconds you're looking for the next goal, looking for the next ball. That's how I'm thinking."
She, and others, should be looking to ruthlessly remind Gleeson of her capabilities.
Prediction: Georgia 0-5 Republic of Ireland
Republic of Ireland squad
Goalkeepers: Courtney Brosnan (Everton), Grace Moloney (London City Lionesses), Sophie Whitehouse (Charlton Athletic), Katie Keane (Athlone Town)
Defenders: Jessie Stapleton (Sunderland, on loan from West Ham United), Diane Caldwell (FC Zurich), Niamh Fahey (Liverpool), Aoife Mannion (Manchester United), Caitlin Hayes (Celtic), Anna Patten (Aston Villa)
Midfielders: Katie McCabe (Arsenal), Denise O'Sullivan (North Carolina Courage), Tyler Toland (Blackburn Rovers), Lily Agg (Birmingham City), Ellen Molloy (Sheffield United), Heather Payne (Everton), Izzy Atkinson (Crystal Palace), Eva Mangan (Cork City)
Forwards: Kyra Carusa (San Diego Wave), Amber Barrett (Standard Liege), Leanne Kiernan (Liverpool), Abbie Larkin (Crystal Palace), Julie-Ann Russell (Galway United), Marissa Sheva (Portland Thorns)
