Battle alone to cross Ireland, pursuing female (9)
I believe the answer is:
solferino
'battle' is the definition.
(Solferino is an example)
'alone to cross ireland pursuing female' is the wordplay.
'alone' becomes 'solo' (I've seen this before).
'to cross' indicates putting letters inside.
'ireland' becomes 'erin'.
'pursuing' is a charade indicator (letters next to each other).
'female' becomes 'f' (abbreviation).
'erin' put after 'f' is 'ferin'.
'solo' placed around 'ferin' is 'SOLFERINO'.
(Other definitions for solferino that I've seen before include "1859 battle" , "reddish colour" .)