Liverpool stars and housemates go head to head in high stakes Euro 2025 qualifier play-off
Ireland striker Leanne Kirwan and Wales' goal hero Ceri Holland have been good at ignoring the elephant in the living room ahead of the big
The unwritten rule in Leanne Kiernan's house has provided a welcome refuge since Ireland were paired with Wales in the Euro play-offs.
It could have been an awkward time given that Ireland striker Kiernan lives with her Liverpool colleague Ceri Holland - the hero of Wales' victory over Slovakia, a result that set up this high-stakes first leg collision in Cardiff tomorrow night.
"I moved up to Liverpool four years ago and they moved me in with Ceri," said Kiernan. I didn't know who she was. It has worked out well. It's been chilled. We just ignore it and do our talking on the pitch.
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"To be honest we don't really talk about football at home. Because it is our job, when we come home, no football talk. Other stuff, but not football.
"Beardy (Liverpool boss Matt Beard) was giving her a big hug and that. Listen, it is going to be tough, we know that. There has probably been a bit of tension there, throughout. Obviously it is difficult, playing against your teammates in one of the biggest games of my life.
"Her whole family is coming over to Dublin so I am sure I'll bump into them. Her family is great. I can't complain there. Listen, a bit of rivalry is healthy. We are looking forward to it."
Cavan woman Kiernan "goes on a mad clean-up", Holland is a good cook. It's a nice home from home. But one of the housemates will return feeling overjoyed after the second leg in the Aviva Stadium next Tuesday, the other will be heartbroken.
"That's life though, isn't it," reasoned Kiernan. "That's football. The best team wins on the day. Listen, it will be tough going back for one of us - and one of the (Liverpool) girls goes, 'don't worry I've a spare bedroom!'
"It's football, we know what we've got to do. If we can do what we can do, and I know we can do it, hopefully it will be a good day. That is the exciting thing about football, isn't it? You don't know who is going to win."
The 25-year-old missed Ireland's successful World Cup play-off in Hampden Park after suffering a serious leg injury in 2022. Wales lost their play-off Switzerland in dramatic circumstances.
"When Ceri came back, she hadn’t qualified," said Kiernan. "I respected that. She knows how it feels and it's probably not a nice feeling. They have it in the back of their minds that they were very close. They’ll use that as fuel.
"We are playing one of the biggest games of my life next week. I'm in a good place. I've got the family coming over to Cardiff, they are happy out."
Kirwan is relieved that it is not a winner takes all one-off encounter. Eileen Gleeson's side will be watched by a big home crowd for the return leg, with 20,000 tickets already sold for the big clash.
"Two legs is better because the best team wins overall," said Kirwan. "Some days you turn up, have a great game and you’re unlucky. Some days you play the best game of your life.
"I’d say the best team goes through over two games. There’s a lot of minutes to play and we’ve a strong squad in. It’s nice to have Ruesha, the two Megs and a lot of girls back.
"I’d be happier with two legs. Being at home for the second leg is in our favour. There’s over 20,000 tickets sold and I feel we’ll get a lot more by the end - and then back to Cavan to celebrate."
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