Denise O'Sullivan opened the scoring in Cork
The Republic of Ireland ended a run of six straight defeats with an impressive 3-1 victory over France in Cork to conclude their Euro 2025 qualifying campaign.
Eileen Gleeson's side were already assured of a play-off place for next year's tournament in Switzerland despite finishing bottom of their group, but they will take plenty from what was a first win over France for the women's team.
The visitors had heavily rotated their side but the Republic of Ireland were full value for their victory, taking a 2-0 lead in the second half after a pair of fine strikes from Denise O'Sullivan and Julie-Ann Russell.
As France threw on their big names from the bench Vicki Becho pulled one back, but Anna Patten's header in the 90th minute made the game safe.
France missing their usual sharpness
Already qualified but still with the incentive of finishing ahead of England, France made 11 changes for the contest and subsequently looked lacking in rhythm.
The hosts started the game pressing high and it almost paid off immediately when Russell looked to punish a heavy touch from French goalkeeper Constance Picaud.
Shortly after O'Sullivan, who consistently looked to provide a spark through the middle, almost threaded a ball into the path of Russell but the forward just failed to bring the pass under control.
After that bright start from the Republic of Ireland, France would settle into things and see more of the ball but there was still precious little for Courtney Brosnan to do in goal.
Indeed, Herve Renard's side were largely limited to shots from distance and lacked accuracy in their finishing.
Leanne Kiernan had the best chance of the first half but saw her effort saved by Picaud, while the same player would have expected to find a team-mate with a pull back when afforded time in the French box.
The biggest talking point of the first half, however, came when a penalty appeal from the Republic of Ireland was waved away despite Caitlin Hayes' header appearing to strike the arm of Maelle Lakrar.
Brilliant goals end barren run in style
Julie-Ann Russell's goal sparked huge celebrations in the crowd
France introduced Delphine Cascarino at the break and, although she quickly drove towards goal, it was still the Republic of Ireland asking more questions.
Jessica Zui was the next to test Picaud but the opening goal would come through O'Sullivan with 25 minutes remaining.
Striding into space after taking Russell's pass, the Cork native let fly on her left foot from 25 yards and found the bottom corner.
Ten minutes later, the North Carolina Courage player played through Russell with the tireless striker taking an excellent touch beyond Elisa De Almeida and curling an effort beyond Picaud.
Having not scored a goal in 2024 prior to Russell's 94th-minute consolation against England last week, the Republic of Ireland now had two in 10 minutes.
After what has been a difficult campaign against some of the heavyweights of the European game, a crowd of over 18,000 at Pairc Ui Chaoimh roared their approval at the pair of excellent finishes.
Too little too late from France
Calling for reinforcements from the bench, France pulled one back when two of their replacements, Cascarino and Kadidiatou Diani, combined to find Becho in the box.
The 20-year-old did not make clean contact on the finish but the ball bobbled past Brosnan to halve the French deficit.
Lyon's Diani was certainly making her presence felt as a substitute, firing another effort just past the post as the visitors went in search of an equaliser.
But as France streamed forward in an attempt to rescue a draw, it was the Republic of Ireland who made the game safe when Anna Patten headed home a late corner via a deflection off Grace Geyoro.
