The Republic just can't keep hold of the ball at the moment.

It's turned into a tough night for them.

Eugenie Le Sommer is in again but this time she fires into the side-netting when she really should have been hitting the target.

France are finding all the little gaps in the Irish defence and it's all gone a bit quiet around Tallaght Stadium...

Eugenie Le Sommer is in behind but Courtney Brosnan is out quickly to gather. Good goalkeeping.

France are looking dangerous now.

Denise O'Sullivan releases Marissa Sheva through the middle but the France defence are across to crowd out Kyra Carusa before the ball reaches the Republic striker.

The players have re-emerged and we're under way again.

As I mentioned earlier, the Irish fans have gathered in a great numbers to send their team off to Australia.

They've been having a great laugh in the stands by the look of it, but that France one-two at the end of the half has dampened the mood a bit.

Image source, Getty Images

Image source, Getty Images

Andy Gray
BBC Sport NI at Tallaght Stadium

It was going so well...until it wasn't.

The Republic actually started well and had really limited the French attack in the opening stages of the first half. They were even unlucky to have a goal ruled out for offside.

Katie McCabe's injury seems to hit the Republic, and we've heard in the press box that she was substituted as a precaution after rolling her ankle. Here's hoping.

On the pitch, that was a poor first goal to concede and Le Sommer's wonderful finish added insult to injury right at the end of the half.

The Republic players will feel that is not a fair reflection of the half.

But that's football. France were warming to the task and scored from their two clearest chances.

Big half coming up for Vera Pauw's side before they board that plane to Australia...

A disastrous end to the half for the Republic sees them trail 2-0 after goals by Maelle Lakrar and Eugenie Le Sommer in first-half stoppage time.

Diani uses her pace to break past Connolly down the right but loses her balance and fires her cross into the side-netting.

First real sign of threat we've seen from the Paris Saint-Germain star.

France build down the left and deliver an inviting cross but the Republic defence stands firm.

The away side are finishing the half strongly.

Izzy Atkinson delivers a dangerous-looking cross from the left the French goalkeeper is all over that.

France are able to clear again, but it was a dangerous delivery from Megan Connolly, who has been promoted to corner-taking duties in Katie McCabe's absence.

Can the Republic capitalise on this strong spell with a goal before half-time?

Ooof, France make a hash of trying to play out from the back and it results in a Republic corner, their second of the game.

What can they make of it? Nothing - good goalkeeping from Pauline Peyraud-Magnin to beat the ball away.

But the hosts come straight back and win another corner.

France are looking really unsettled here...

Andy Gray
BBC Sport NI at Tallaght Stadium

McCabe definitely wasn't 100% happy. She kept talking to the bench and her ankle is obviously giving her a bit of trouble. She was in constant dialogue since her treatment.

Izzy Atkinson has come on as Vera Pauw opta to be safe, rather than sorry, with her key player.

You can't be too careful with the World Cup opener just a couple of weeks away.

Katie McCabe is indeed going off. Izzy Atkinson is the Arsenal player's replacement. McCabe goes off to a wonderful ovation.

Hopefully just precaution from a Republic point of view...

Now Louise Quinn requires some attention after blocking a cross from Sakina Karchaoui.

Quinn gets up quickly. The France corner comes to nothing.

Katie McCabe, who was down injured earlier, is talking to the bench a fair bit. Her evening may be coming to a close soon...

Image source, Getty Images