Euro 2025 qualifiers

Jessie Stapleton is brimming with energy as she looks forward to a golden opportunity in the Irish squad this week, following a fresh chapter in her young career. After a difficult loan spell at Reading, which saw the club relegated to the fifth tier of English football due to financial troubles, Stapleton has found new life at Sunderland. Now 19, she is thriving with regular game time in a positive environment, arriving at Ireland’s camp with renewed confidence after a derby win over Durham.

“I’m absolutely loving it,” she said ahead of Ireland’s Euro 2025 play-off semi-final against Georgia. Stapleton praised the high-level coaching and the strong team spirit, which have boosted her performance both on and off the pitch. Despite Ireland’s challenging Euro qualifier campaign, where they managed just one win, the mood is optimistic. Stapleton believes the team has learned valuable lessons and is in a strong position to take on Georgia, confident that together they can push toward their first women’s European Championship.