September will mark a historic day in Irish sport as the Ireland Women's National Team will play at the Aviva Stadium for the first time.
Following successful talks between the FAI, the Irish Football Association, and UEFA, the girls in green will face off against Northern Ireland in the opening game of the 2023-24 UEFA Women's Nations League.
Ireland WNT to play first ever game in Aviva Stadium ?
UEFA Nations League opener against Northern Ireland will be on Saturday, September 23 - KO 13:00
Ticket details to follow. WNT Season Tickets are valid.#COYGIG | #WeAreOne
— Ireland Football ⚽️?? (@IrelandFootball) May 22, 2023
Speaking after the confirmation of the fixture, FAI CEO Jonathan Hill said: "We are extremely proud to be able to announce the first-ever Ireland Women’s National Team game at our national stadium, the Aviva Stadium, with what will be the first game for the team after their return from the FIFA Women’s World Cup.
"Football for women and girls has clearly moved a significant way forward in the last three years, much of it driven by the inspirational performance by Vera Pauw and the team but also on the back of our equal pay agreement in 2021 and the hard work of thousands of coaches and volunteers the length and breadth of the country who are inspiring women’s football to new highs.
"We are all very excited that another glass ceiling has been removed."
Pauw has been one of the leading figures behind the astonishing growth of the women's game in the Country. Her vision and passion for the game are contagious, with the historic qualification for the Women's World Cup a just reward for her team's efforts.
"It is fantastic to know that our players will get to play in such an iconic stadium - one of the best in the world," she said.
"Playing in the national stadium is another big jump forward for our team and we encourage our supporters to come out to get behind the team.
"We have had outstanding support in recent years in Tallaght Stadium - who we remain extremely grateful to - but we always said that if the right opportunity to play in the Aviva Stadium came along then we would look at it.
"This is that right opportunity and we want to have a record attendance to cheer the team on in their first game after the World Cup. On behalf of the players and staff, I'd like to thank everyone at the FAI who has made this happen. Playing this game in the Aviva Stadium can be a game-changer for women's and girls' football in Ireland."
Confirmation about ticket details will be confirmed shortly and WNT Season Tickets will be valid for the fixture.
Separately, tickets for the International Friendly games against Zambia and France will go on public sale this Friday, May 26th at 10:00.
Wexford woman selected in the team of officials for the Women's Champions League Final.
Michelle O'Neill has been named as an assistant referee for the Women's Champions League Final between Wolfsburg and Barcelona.
Her accomplishments are notable in the game, with multiple appearances across elite European competitions and at the International level.
Congratulations to Michelle O'Neill who has been appointed to the @UWCL Final refereeing team.
The League of Ireland Official will be an Assistant Referee for the Final between FC Barcelona and VfL Wolfsburg in Eindhoven. #LOI pic.twitter.com/lzL5avQLxR
— League of Ireland (@LeagueofIreland) May 22, 2023
O'Neill served as an assistant referee when the sides met in last year's semi-final, having also officiated as an assistant in the quarter-final fixture between Juventus and Lyon.
The Enniscorthy native is also the sole Irish inclusion in this summer's Women's World Cup refereeing panel.
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