Amber Barrett struck the magical moment as the Republic of Ireland senior women’s team kept alive their hopes of World Cup qualification.
Republic of Ireland 2 Slovakia 1
By Chris McNulty at Tallaght Stadium
The Milford woman pounced from the bench to net an 86th minute winner against Slovakia at Tallaght.
Barrett replaced Ruesha Littlejohn in the 77th minute and, just nine minutes later, the Peamount United striker was away on a cartwheel after netting the golden goal.
Karen Duggan, the Player of the Match, lifted a ball over the top and Barrett made hay. Barrett cleverly headed down before letting fly with a thunderbolt that gave Slovakia goalkeeper Maria Korenciova no chance.
In front of 3,521 Ireland took the lead when Leanne Kiernan beat Korenciova with a one opener, but an own goal from Ireland ‘keeper Maria Hourihan three minuets later brought Slovakia level.
Tyler Toland missed out through injury, while Roma McLaughlin and Amy Boyle-Carr were substitutes.
Just when it seemed as if Ireland were out of time, Barrett conjured up the glory with a super strike that sets the Girls in Green up for Tuesday’s joust with Netherlands.
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