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04 Mar 2026
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04 Mar 2026
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Amber Barrett in action against Thiniba Samoura during the 2027 FIFA Women’s World Cup Qualifier in Tallaght Stadium. Photo by Sam Barnes/Sportsfile
Amber Barrett came on as a late sub as the Republic of Ireland narrowly lost out to France in their World Cup qualification opener on Tuesday night.
Carla Ward’s side took an early lead against the League A Group 2 favourites as captain Katie McCabe hit the net on twelve minutes.
The home side held that lead in Tallaght Stadium until the 71st minute as Manchester United player Melvine Malard scored within a minute of coming on.
Mallard made it 2-1 eight minutes later as they completed the turnaround, and Milford woman Barrett came on in the final five minutes as the hosts put on some late pressure in search of an equaliser.
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St Johnston native Tyler Toland was an unused sub, while Anna Patten, who is English-born but qualifies for Ireland through her grandfather Donald Coyle, a Falcarragh native, played the full game.
Ireland take on the Netherlands in their second group match in Utrecht this Saturday at 7.45pm Irish time, with the Dutch drawing 2-2 against Poland in Gdansk on Tuesday.
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