Amber Barrett plays her part as Ireland WNT earn a share of the spoils with Italy

Amber Barrett was a second half substitute as the Republic of Ireland WNT earned a fine international friendly draw away to Italy at  Viola Park in Florence.

In Eileen Gleeson’s first match officially as manager - having been caretaker for the flawless Nations League B campaign late last year when Ireland won six from six - the scoreless draw was a decent result. 

Italy ranked 14 in the world - 10 ahead of Ireland defeated world champions Spain 3-2 in the Nations League in Pontevedra in December. 

It might have been even better, as, 17 minutes from time, following a flowing move, Milford Barrett centred for Leanne Kiernan to prod home only to be flagged for offside. 

Ireland were well organised and in the first half, Italy had most of the ball without lovely testing Courtney Brosnan in goal. Right on half-time, Everton’s Martina Piemonte’s shot deflected narrowly wide off Jessie Stapleton.

Barrett, who plays for Standard Liège in Belgium, came on with 60 minutes on the clock and after Kiernan’s disallowed goal, the best chance of the match went to Italy’s Michela Catena, who couldn’t keep her shot down.

Late on, Barrett seemed to pick up a slight knock. Erin McLaughlin from Culdaff, who plays for Peamount United, was an unused substitute, while St Johnston’s Tyler Toland, who is on the books of Blackburn Rovers, withdrew from the squad with a knee injury. 

The squad will return to Dublin to train at the FAI National Training Centre before taking on Wales on Tuesday at Tallaght Stadium.

The two games will serve as part of the preparation for the upcoming Uefa Euro 2025 qualifiers, which kick off in April following the araw on March 5.