The Republic of Ireland's women's national football team have continued their fine start to World Cup qualification.
With three games played and seven points on the board, a 0-0 draw away to the European Champions Netherlands was the highlight thus far.
Having overcome Northern Ireland and Slovakia, the return leg against the Slovakian side took place in Tallaght Stadium tonight. Recording a 2-0 in Senec, tonight's game was one that Ireland would have been desperate to win ahead of welcoming Netherlands to Dublin next week.
After a fairly congested first-half in which Ireland had most of the ball, they had to wait until shortly after the hour mark to get the breakthrough - Leanne Kiernan making the most out of a rare clear opportunity.
69: GOOOOAAALLLL!
Ireland 1-0 Slovakia. What a finish from Leanne Kiernan. Sensational run & finish. Live now on eir sport 1! #COYGIG #IRLWNT pic.twitter.com/yGOQ1mD8WG— eir Sport (@eirSport) April 6, 2018
A wonderful run and finish from Kiernan, her individual brilliance would shortly be undone by a terribly unfortunate mistake from Ireland's goalkeeper, Marie Hourihan.
71: Goal!
Ireland 1-1 Slovakia. Horrible mistake from #IRLWNT keeper Marie Hourihan as Ireland concede for the first time in this campaign. #COYGIG pic.twitter.com/yob1KOROFx— eir Sport (@eirSport) April 6, 2018
Blinded by the sun perhaps, the goal was not in keeping with what Slovakia had offered as an attacking threat.
With Ireland throwing everything at Slovakia, all their pressure would pay off - Amber Barrett running onto a long-pass forward and hammering it home for 2-1.
87: GOOOAAALLLL!!!
IRELAND 2-1 Slovakia. What a finish from Amber Barrett. How important could that goal be? #COYGIG #IRLWNT pic.twitter.com/LdXKavavkg— eir Sport (@eirSport) April 6, 2018
The win will give Ireland great hope ahead of next week's game against Netherlands. For now, they can turn their attention toward this evening's tie between Tuesday's opponents and Northern Ireland.
