Noonan celebrating her goal.Image source, Getty Images
Image caption,

Saoirse Noonan's scored the only goal of the game in Cork

Republic of Ireland had to make do with a spot in the Women's Nations League promotion play-offs with a 1-0 win over Slovenia not enough to secure top spot in their group and an automatic move into League A.

Saoirse Noonan netted the only goal of the game 19 minutes into the first half when she nodded home Jessie Stapleton's delivery.

Cork native Noonan's goal came on a night she made history as the first player to compete in a competitive Gaelic games and football match at Pairc Ui Chaoimh, but her side needed a four-goal margin of victory to secure automatic promotion.

The result means that Slovenia are promoted to League A as group winners and Carla Ward's side will face a third-place side from the top tier in their play-off.

Republic of Ireland, with the required winning margin no doubt in mind, made a bright start to the game with Zara Kramzar forced to make a crucial clearance off the line to block Noonan's header from an early corner.

Zala Mersnik was then called into action to thwart Abbie Larkin's shot from range after clever build-up play by the forward.

The home side broke the deadlock in the 19th minute when Noonan nodded Stapleton's looping delivery over Mersnik.

Republic of Ireland pushed for a quick second with Katie McCabe's free-kick gathered by the busy Mersnik and Kyra Carusa heading narrowly wide.

Stopper Mersnik then made another save to thwart Emily Murphy's chance and to deny the forward a second goal in two games after her late winner in Turkey last week.

The hosts were nearly made to pay for not taking advantage of more of their chances with Courtney Brosnan forced to make a diving save to stop Lara Prasnikar's shot just before the break.

Visitors defend well to protect top spot

It was a similar start to the second half, but this time it was Slovenia who had the first chance on 56 minutes when Brosnan gathered Maja Sternad's strong effort.

Just after being introduced, Megan Campbell found Caitlin Hayes with a long throw but the resulting effort was off target.

Murphy was involved in majority of the home side's chances and controlled a superb pass from Kyra Carusa before sending an effort just over the crossbar.

Slovenia continued to defend resolutely and cleared their lines with Mersnik able to palm Murphy's goal bound effort away.

In the final 10 minutes, the retiring Louise Quinn was brought on to make her final appearance for the Republic of Ireland before Murphy was denied once again by Mersnik.

A graphic that reads 'Follow our women's football TikTok' with a picture of a mobile phone