It was a day of mixed feelings for the Republic of Ireland and Northern Ireland Women’s soccer teams with Vera Pauw’s side falling to a 3-1 defeat at home to Germany that ended hopes of qualification for Euro 2021 in 2022, but Northern Ireland securing a play-off place with a 5-1 home win against the Faroe Islands.
They now go forward into a play-off during the course of 2021 with the winner advancing to the Finals to be held in England.
They overcame an early goal to secure the three points needed with goals from sisters Kirsty and Caitlin McGuinness, Chloe McCarron and a double from Rachel Furness.
The game was streamed live on the BBC Sport NI website and the BBC iPlayer.
At Tallaght Stadium the news was not so good with the Republic of Ireland paying the price for defeat in Ukraine when going under to a Germany team that is ranked second in the world.
A Katie McCabe penalty brought the sides close at 2-1 as the game progressed and with Ukraine being held in Montenegro and down to ten players, one more goal could have secured a spot.
Unfortunately, goals for Ukraine first and then a third for Germany meant that a debut appearance at major finals will have to be held over until the next World Cup due to be held between Australia and New Zealand in 2023.
There were many positives through the campaign but it was not meant to be and the golden opportunity to showcase Irish talent on the world stage across England in the Summer of 2022 will now pass for those in the Republic.
The dream lives on in Belfast and across Northern Ireland, where Electric Ireland are one of the teams major commercial partners.
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