Ireland’s victory over Finland last night gave them a World Cup playoff, but the exclusion of four players in the final Group A qualifying tie with Slovakia in Bratislava on Tuesday took a heavy toll. I paid.
Iam Fahey, who was ruled out last night with a groin issue, was out, Lucia Littlejohn injured his leg early on, and Megan Connolly (rib) was also sidelined.
Jamie Finn has been suspended for a third yellow card, but manager Vera Pau said in a morning radio interview that he already plans to exclude Finn to protect her from a possible playoff suspension. I implied that I was standing up.
Shelbourne’s Jesse Stapleton and West Ham United’s Isbir Atkinson have been drafted and will leave this weekend.
