A lively celtic derby was odd as even on Friday night with a place at the European Championships still on the line. An unfortunate own goal after a sensational strike from Ruesha Littlejohn denied Wales the chance to take a lead to Dublin as the first leg of their EURO 2025 play off ended in a 1-1 draw.
Ireland left Cardiff on Friday night likely to be the happier of the two sides. Both sides demonstrated they have the potential to go on and win this tie, here at The Halfway Line we run through the player ratings from a tense evening in the Welsh capital.
Wales Player Ratings
Olivia Clark– 6/10 – Extremely unlucky with the own goal, she did well to even get a hand to the shot but perhaps would have benefitted from a better starting position. Made a brilliant and vital save to deny Caitlin Hayes in the second half, if she hadn’t it would have been a long way back for Wales.
Lily Woodham – 7/10 – Woodham is developing a habit of scoring against Ireland, she arrived late in the box with a perfectly timed run and clinical finish. Ireland did have some joy down her side especially early in the first half.
Gemma Evans – 6/10 – Really struggled early on in the match with Carusa running off her to great effect. She settled into the game however and her aggressive defending up the pitch led to a great chance for Morgan early in the second half.
Hayley Ladd – 6/10 – Ladd has only played six minutes of WSL football this season and seemed to be rusty. Like Wales she grew in confidence as the match progressed.
Rhiannon Roberts – 8/10 – A towering performance from the Welsh centre back now plying her trade in Spain with Real Betis. Defensively peerless and almost regained Wales’ lead in the second half rising highest from a corner but was denied by Littlejohn.
Alice Griffiths – 6/10 – Hooked at half time with Wales looking for a more offensive dimension.
Rachel Rowe – 8/10 – Combined well with her attacking colleagues especially Fishlock, Rowe is a figure that Wales can rely on. Somehow kept up with Leanne Kiernan breaking away late on managing to make a vital interception.
Angharad James – 5/10 – Did not pressure Littlejohn quickly enough for the Irish goal. Struggled to impact the game in any meaningful way.
Ceri Holland – 8/10 – Had an excellent battle with Katie McCabe and did her best to nullify Ireland’s most potent threat. Played a brilliant ball to Fishlock who set-up the opener. Holland’s delivery from set-pieces was impressive throughout.
Jessica Fishlock – 7/10 – Seemed uncharacteristically nervy early on but her quality shone through eventually. Her powerful driven cross set up the first goal.
Ffion Morgan – 5/10 – Morgan has bags of potential but still struggles to finish her chances, had a couple of opportunities to test Brosnan but her efforts were wayward. Wales will need her to be clinical at the Aviva.
SUBS
Carrie Jones – 7/10 – Gave Wales the attacking impetus they needed in the second 45. Took the ball off Josie Green’s head late on as Wales looked to regain the lead.
Kayleigh Barton – 6/10 – Made a magnificent run late on to set-up a late Welsh chance. Introduced as the game as becoming increasingly transitional which suited her game.
Josie Green – 6/10 – Introduced with ten minutes to play and provided fresh legs for her side almost getting on the end of a chance that would have won the game for Wales.
Charlie Escourt – N/A – Introduced in the 89th minute Escourt had little opportunity to affect the game.
Ireland Player Ratings
Courtney Brosnan – 6/10 – Brosnan was hardly tested but was confident when called upon, there was precious little she could have done to stop the Welsh opener.
Heather Payne – 6/10 – Had a really entertaining battle with Lily Woodham on the opposite side. Did not stop running throughout the evening.
Anna Patten – 7/10 – Another assured performance at the back for Ireland, the Aston Villa defender continues to enjoy a brilliant season for club and country.
Niamh Fahey – 5/10 – Fahey has not played much football this season and that lack of match sharpness showed in the first half. Miscued her clearance for Wales’ opener. The Liverpool defender grew into the game however and made a couple of key interceptions and clearances in the second half.
Caitlin Hayes – 6/10 – Hayes almost gave Ireland victory on the night with a wonderful half volley. She looked a little nervous at times and was grateful to her defensive colleagues who dug her out on occasion.
Katie McCabe – 7/10 – McCabe was not able to get involved as much as she would have liked but her delivery into the box continues to be sublime. Relished a scrap with Ceri Holland but unusually for her, did not always come out on top.
Lily Agg – 6/10 – Played her part in terms of helping Ireland to control proceedings. Subbed off at half time but Eileen Gleeson confirmed this was a tactical change.
Ruesha Littlejohn – 9/10 – Has had limited minutes this season but wow, it did not show. Littlejohn was everywhere, from goal-saving blocks to serene composure on the ball and hey, what about that finish? Almost lost her head late on receiving a yellow card for her trouble, she was wisely substituted minutes later by her manager.
Denise O’Sullivan – 7/10 – A battling and combative performance from O’Sullivan, she helped limit Fishlock’s influence on the game. Ireland’s number 10 was caught out in possession a couple of times later in the game however.
Kyra Carusa – 8/10 – A textbook centre forward’s performance, her hold up play was fantastic and her deft touches created opportunities and space for Ireland. Swiftly becoming one of the first names on the Irish team sheet.
Julie-Ann Russell – 7/10 – A tireless runner, she looked a little rusty in front of goal tonight having not played since the tie against Georgia. She did an important job for Ireland, a constant nuisance to the Welsh backline.
SUBS
Marissa Sheva – 7/10 – Sheva’s close control was exceptional last night. The Portland Thorns midfielder is playing her best football since she first pulled on the emerald jersey after she was recalled to the squad last month.
Jessie Stapleton – 6/10 – Introduced to do a defensive job for the last ten minutes and did what she could, struggled to adapt to the pace of the game.
Leanne Kiernan – 6/10 – Entered the fray in place of Russell and her direct running was effective at times. She was played through late on with one Welsh defender to beat with minutes to play but the ball was caught under her feet allowing the Welsh defence to recover.
Amber Barrett – N/A – Barrett was only on the pitch for a few minutes.
Ireland welcome Wales to the Aviva Stadium next Tuesday in a winner takes all clash.
