The Republic are starting to turn the screw, and Denise O'Sullivan is at the heart of it. She spreads the ball out to Katie McCabe, whose teasing delivery is turned behind for a corner by Sarah McFadden.

Image source, in

Jackie Burns
Northern Ireland goalkeeper on BBC iPlayer

We have just seen a lot of patience in the build-up, maybe a bit forced sometimes into the final third but we'll take it as there has been no real shots towards Northern Ireland and the same going towards the Republic as well. It's been a quiet game so far.

The Republic of Ireland fashion the first opportunity of the game from a corner.

McCabe swings the ball in to Caitlin Hayes and she then nods the ball onto Kyra Carusa. Stooping, Carusa's flicked header is beaten away by Shannon Turner.

A first warning sign for Northern Ireland of the danger the Republic pose from set-pieces and they are starting to take control of this game.

Image source, Getty Images

Andy Gray
BBC Sport NI

Katie McCabe scored a stunning 35-yard free-kick on her last appearance at the Aviva Stadium - a cup final for Raheny United way back in 2014.

That goal went viral - and a year later she was at Arsenal.

That was the making of a superstar, but she had no luck this time as her free-kick was well over.

Image source, Inpho

Katie McCabe take the free-kick, but blazes over the crossbar which sums up the lack of quality so far in this game.

Rebecca Holloway picks up the first yellow card of the game for clipping Kyra Carusa as she looked to run down the right channel. The Republic of Ireland now have a free-kick in a dangerous position, with Holloway now having to be careful.

Megan Connolly floats in a deep free-kick after Rachel Furness had fouled Lucy Quinn near the centre circle, but Rebecca Holloway calmly heads away as Northern Ireland clear their lines.

The huge crowd at the Aviva are certainly making their voices heard, with the decibel level raising each time the Republic come into the final third.

They haven't had that much to cheer about yet however, as it has been a scrappy encounter, which will suit Northern Ireland.

Image source, Inpho

Andy Gray
BBC Sport NI

A lot has been made about the number of full-time players for the hosts compared to Northern Ireland's squad, where the majority of players play in the part-time Women's Premiership.

One thing we didn't really count on is the fact the Women's Premiership is midway through the season, while the WSL and Scottish leagues are only in pre-season.

Northern Ireland look sharp and are nipping at the heels of the Republic players, and that 'match fitness' is paying off so far - and that's where the selections of Abbie Magee, Emily Wilson and Joely Andrews make perfect sense from Oxtoby.

Jackie Burns
Northern Ireland goalkeeper on BBC iPlayer

Caragh Hamilton has always shown how physically strong she is, speed wise and strength wise. She is definitely top in all aspects on the pitch and in the gym. I think it will be exciting to see her dominating on the right side for us today.

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From first glance, it seems that both sides are playing with five at the back, with the Republic happy to keep possession early on as both sides feel each other out.

Captain Katie McCabe has started in a left-wing-back role, but with her undoubted quality and engine you doubt she will stay out there for the entirety of the game.

Jackie Burns
Northern Ireland goalkeeper on BBC iPlayer

You could hear the cheers when they were walking out there and it gave me chills standing up here so I can't imagine what it was like for the girls out on the pitch there.

The build on from the World Cup watching the Republic do so well, I watched every game, it was amazing and I think it's shown how much the game is going to build and I think the women's game is definitely going in the right direction.

Simone Magill gets the game underway for Northern Ireland as both sides begin their inaugural Nations League campaign.

The teams are out to a raucous applause at the Aviva Stadium, here come the anthems.

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Republic of Ireland caretaker manager Eileen Gleeson and new Northern Ireland manager Tanya Oxtoby offer their thoughts as BBC Sport NI's Andy Gray previews the big game at the Aviva Stadium.

Read the full match preview here.

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Andy Gray
BBC Sport NI

Tanya Oxtoby, who has impressed players and media alike so far, was in a relaxed mood in yesterday's press conference.

I asked her if she will be able to get an early night or be up late looking over last-minute details.

"I have a two-and-a-half-year-old so I don't get any early nights or sleep," Oxtoby laughed.

"i'm quite happy to operate off four or five hours.

"I feel we are all pretty relaxed. We have been working hard behind the scenes to be able to do as much as we can in the short period we have got.

"I'll probably just get my usual five hours and be done with it."

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Experienced Republic of Ireland defender Diane Caldwell says player feedback on former manager Vera Pauw in 2021 "fell on deaf ears" when the Dutch coach was offered a contract extension by the Football Association of Ireland.

Read more of Caldwell had to say in her explosive interview here.

Andy Gray
BBC Sport NI

There are a few surprises in Tanya Oxtoby's first team selection as Northern Ireland manager.

Abbie Magee, who is in full swing of the season with Cliftonville, is preferred at right back to Rebecca McKenna, while it looks like Emily Wilson and Caragh Hamilton will be providing the width - a decision which leaves Reading's Lauren Wade on the bench.

With Jackie Burns out injured (and on commentary for us this afternoon), Oxtoby has elected to go for Wolves goalkeeper Shan Turner as her number one.

For the Republic, it's interesting to see highly-rated Tyler Toland come straight into the starting team as she makes her international return.

The Donegal midfielder will be out to prove a point after being left in the wilderness by Vera Pauw, and it's a bold decision by interim manager Eileen Gleeson to put Caitlin Hayes straight in for her international debut.

Big calls from both managers.

Image source, Inpho

Both teams survey the scenes at a surprisingly sunny Aviva Stadium ahead of kick-off.

Image source, Inpho

Image source, Inpho

There are changes aplenty for both side's from their last competitive games.

There are four changes to the Republic of Ireland side that drew with Nigeria in their final World Cup group game in July.

Tyler Toland, who endured a four year exile from the squad under previous boss Vera Pauw, comes straight back into the starting eleven. She replaces the injured Ruesha Littlejohn.

Caitlin Hayes, who declared for the Republic this week, is handed her debut with Niamh Fahey also side-lined by injury.

Lucy Quinn and Diane Caldwell also start.

Tanya Oxtoby also makes four changes to the Northern Ireland team that defeated Czechia in June.

Shannon Turner replaces Lilie Woods in goal, with Cliftonville's Abbie Magee coming in for Rebecca McKenna at full-back.

There are also two alterations in midfield as Joely Andrews and Rachel Furness are preferred to Nadene Caldwell and Megan Bell.

Republic of Ireland: Brosnan, Quinn, Hayes, Connolly, Caldwell, Toland, O'Sullivan, McCabe, Payne, Lu Quinn, Carusa.

Substitutions: Molony, Walsh, O'Riordan, Mustaki, Barrett, Agg, O'Mahony, Finn, Larkin, Sheva, Whelan, Atkinson.

Northern Ireland: Turner, Magee, McFadden, Vance, Holloway, Hamilton, Callaghan, Andrews, Furness, Wilson, Magill.

Substitutions: Woods, Norney, McKenna, Rafferty, Bell, Caldwell, McCarron, Beattie, K McGuinness, C McGuinness, Wade.

Image source, BBC Sport