PA Sport Staff
Republic of Ireland made a winning start to their Nations League campaign as Kyra Carusa’s first-half header secured a 1-0 win against Turkey in Dublin.
The United States-born San Diego Wave forward struck in the third minute of time added on at the end of the first period to seal victory at Tallaght Stadium in head coach Carla Ward’s first game in charge.
Ireland back in action after their Euro 2025 play-off defeat to Wales in December, had the better of the first half in their opening Group B2 encounter but endured some anxious moments late in the game.
Ruesha Littlejohn, with the wind behind her, saw two long-range efforts fly off target before Turkey midfielder Busem Seker cleared Denise O’Sullivan’s follow-up effort off the goal-line after Lucy Quinn’s header had been saved.
Seker then pounced on Megan Campbell’s misplaced pass at the other end, but was thwarted by goalkeeper Courtney Brosnan.
Carusa broke the deadlock in first-half stoppage time, heading Heather Payne’s unselfish assist over Turkey goalkeeper Selda Akgoz.
In the second period, Brosnan had already tipped one corner over her crossbar in the blustery conditions before Megan Campbell hacked Seker’s looping corner off the line.
Turkey finished strongly in pursuit of an equaliser and Arzu Karabulut fired narrowly off target in time added on after fellow substitute Basak Incinozbebek had headed on a free-kick.
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