Existential footballer.
Image: Jennifer Marr/SXC

All right, everyone. As the kids in America might say: Shit just got real.

Despite defeating them away by two goals to nil, Ireland lost their second leg tie with Wales in Cork on Saturday by a single goal.

This means that Ireland’s Euro 2013 qualifier against Scotland tomorrow night is crucial: If we lose, we’re out.

Here’s how the table for Group 4 currently stands:

Top team goes through; second team goes to the playoffs.

Scotland defeated Ireland at Tynecastle Stadium 2-1, to a crowd of around 2,000 supporters. At Ireland v Wales at Turners Cross on Saturday there were around 700 home supporters.

So I will say this only once:

CORKONIANS. Get your asses to Turners Cross tomorrow night and scream the goddamn house down!

Existential football.
Image: Lavimir/SXC

Still, Ireland ‘keeper Emma Byrne was very gracious about the weekend’s defeat:

@helzbelz10 I was still basking in it when u lobbed me! Feckin lobbed! #pethate

— emma byrne (@emmsb30) June 17, 2012

And in fairness to Wales’ scorer, Helen Lander, she did apologise (to me, at least):

@clicky_here sorry!! Thanks though!

— Helen Lander (@helzbelz10) June 16, 2012

In the meantime, hold on to your ovaries: here’s a photo of Byrne with a puppy:

I want!!! twitter.com/emmsb30/status…

— emma byrne (@emmsb30) June 17, 2012

Republic of Ireland Women’s Senior International Squad

Emma Byrne (Arsenal) (@emmsb30)
Eve Badana (Drexel College)
Grace “FAI U19 International Player of the Year” Moloney (Reading) (@gracemoloney)
Yvonne Tracy (Arsenal) (@wiv03)
Louise “WNL Team of the Year skipper” Quinn (Peamount United)
Megan Campbell (Raheny United) (@megcam10)
Sophie Perry (Chelsea) (@SophPerry)
Diane Caldwell (Avaldsnes) (@DianeCaldwell7)
Meabh De Burca (Amazon Grimstad) (@MeabhDeBurca)
Niamh “FAI International Player of the Year” Fahey (Arsenal)
Ciara “More caps than Damien Duff” Grant (Arsenal)
Marie Curtin (Fortuna Ålesund) (@MarieCurtin)
Ruesha Littlejohn (Liverpool) (@rueshalj)
Julie Ann “WSL Digital Ambassador” Russell (Doncaster Belles) (@Juuulie_Ann)
Aine O’Gorman (Doncaster Belles) (@Aineogor9)
Michele O’Brien (Chicago Red Eleven)
Denise “WNL Player of the Year nominee” O’Sullivan (Cork) (@OSullivanDenise)
Shannon Smyth (Amazon Grimstad) (@ShannonSmyth)
Cherelle “WNL Player of the Month” Khassal (Wexford Youths) (@ckhassal)
Stephanie “WNL Golden Boot” Roche (Peamount United)

UEFA Women’s Euro 2013 qualifier
Turners Cross, Cork

Ireland v Scotland
Thursday, June 21st, 19:30