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Ireland Women pipped in very exciting final minutes
- Updated: 14/09/2025
France 18, Ireland 13
THEY deserved to be ahead at half-time in today’s Women’s World Cup quarter final, but Ireland just could not put a score on the board in the last 40 minutes. France have to be commended for their defensive work and in a nail-biting final few minutes, with Ireland camped on the French ten metre line, the referee blew the final whistle. It was a big disappointment for the Irish girls who had given their all to snatch a late converted try that could have put them into the semo-final.
Trailing by 13-0 at half time, France opened the second half with a penalty kick that put them on the scoreboard 13-3, Morgane Bourgeoi accurate from in front of the posts. They then scored a crucial try by Charlotte Escudero that brought the score to 13-10 and with Ireland having their fair share of possession, France scored a second try, this time Joanna Grisez scorching down the right wing to score which was to be the winning score.
It was all Ireland in the opening half and they could well have been more than the thirteen points ahead that they carried in at the break. They went into the lead after six minutes when tight head Linda Djougang forced her way over after som great work by the pac. Dannah O’Brien failed with the kick. Ireland continued to dominate. They were well in control in the pack and it was no surprise when they increased their lead to 10-0 after 24 minutes, full back Stacey Flood availing of the French having a player in the bin, to score. O’Brien was again off-target with the conversion.
It was all Ireland and it was 30 minutes before France got into scoring distance at the other end of the pitch. They failed to put a score on the board and it was the Irish side that increased their lead when Dannah O’Brien this time found the range with a close in penalty. Ireland had a chance to increase their lead with the clock in extra time but France succeeded with some heroic defending to keep the score at 13-0.
Ireland: Stacey Flood; Béibhinn Parsons, Aoife Dalton, Eve Higgins, Amee-Leigh Costigan; Dannah O’Brien, Aoibheann Reilly; Niamh O’Dowd, Neve Jones, Linda Djougang; Ruth Campbell, Sam Monaghan (capt); Fiona Tuite, Aoife Wafer, Brittany Hogan.
Replacements: Clíodhna Molony-MacDonald, Ellena Perry, Sadhbh McGrath, Eimear Corri-Fallon, Grace Moore, Emily Lane, Enya Breen, Anna McGann.
France: Morgane Bourgeois; Joanna Grisez, Marine Menager, Gabrielle Vernier, Kelly Arbey; Lina Queyroi, Pauline Bourdon Sansus; Yllana Brosseau, Agathe Gerin, Rose Bernadou; Mane Feleu, Madoussou Fall Raclot; Axelle Berthoumieu, Lea Champon, Charlotte Escudero.
Replacements: Manon Bigot, Annaelle Deshaye, Assia Khalfaoui, Hina Ikahehgi, Seraphine Okemba, Teani Feleu, Alexandra Chambon, Emilie Boulard.
Referee: Aimee Barrett-Theron (SARU)
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