Carla Ward, the new head coach of the Irish women's national football team, will unveil her first squad tomorrow, marking the team's return to UEFA Nations League action after the Euro 2025 play-off heartbreak.
An exciting new chapter unfolds for the Irish women's national football team as Carla Ward prepares to announce her maiden squad tomorrow. The newly appointed head coach will unveil her selections at a press conference at FAI headquarters at 10am on Tuesday, kicking off the countdown to Ireland 's return to UEFA Nations League action. The team takes on Türkiye at Tallaght Stadium on Friday, February 21st, followed by a trip to Koper to face Slovenia the following Tuesday.
These fixtures mark Ireland's first competitive matches since their heartbreaking Euro 2025 play-off defeat in December. While Ward is anticipated to retain the core of the previous squad, several notable absences loom. Niamh Fahey, Diane Caldwell, and Julie-Ann Russell have all called time on their international careers, while Lily Agg faces a lengthy recovery from an ACL injury. Further question marks surround the fitness of several key players. Anna Patten, who scored in Aston Villa's FA Cup victory over Brighton, departed the match with a knock, Jessie Stapleton has been sidelined for Sunderland since sustaining an injury two weeks ago, and Ruesha Littlejohn, Grace Moloney, and Marissa Sheva are currently without clubs. Izzy Atkinson, despite her talent, has been absent from Crystal Palace's matchday squads in 2025. Long-term absentees Jess Ziu (ACL) and Tara O'Hanlon (MCL) will also be unavailable, as will Louise Quinn and Jamie Finn, who are on the mend from hip and ACL injuries respectively.Courtney Brosnan will likely continue as the team's first-choice goalkeeper, with Katie McCabe and Denise O'Sullivan certainties for selection. Ward has hinted at a 'different' position for the captain McCabe, adding an element of intrigue to the upcoming campaign. Caitlin Hayes, who secured a WSL move to Brighton in January, is poised to lead a defense that appears thinner than usual in terms of regular call-ups. Hayley Nolan has been pushing for a recall, while Claire O'Riordan aims to reignite her international career under Ward. Aoife Mannion is set to return after missing the Wales play-off defeat through injury, boosting her confidence after scoring her first Manchester United goal at the weekend. Megan Connolly, Tyler Toland, and Heather Payne will be vying for midfield places, while there are opportunities in attack following Russell's retirement. Saoirse Noonan, with her prolific form in Scotland, is a strong contender. Leanne Kiernan, the only other Irish player to score in the WSL this season, alongside Patten, is another force to be reckoned with. Amber Barrett has been consistently performing well in Belgium. Kyra Carusa, currently out of season in the United States after extending her contract with San Diego Wave, and Emily Murphy, who joined Championship outfit Newcastle United in January, are also in the mix.The news of a development squad last week provides a platform for fringe players to shine, with a training game against the U19s scheduled during this international window. Ellen Molloy, Erin McLaughlin, Eva Mangan, Emily Whelan, and Aoibheann Clancy are among the selected players who have previously received senior call-ups. Katie Keane, Jess Fitzgerald, Ellen Dolan, and Freya Healy are U19s who have been involved in the senior setup. Lia O'Leary, who recently moved to Bristol City, also features among the U19s. Ward's squad announcement tomorrow will reveal whether any of these players receive the opportunity to impress.Many players are currently in pre-season, with the Women's League of Ireland not commencing until March 8th. The potential for new recruits, particularly dual-eligible players, is another key focus for Ward. At her unveiling press conference, she outlined plans to identify promising players of Irish heritage, reaching out to agents worldwide. The impact of these efforts will be evident in the coming days. However, maintaining continuity within the squad is crucial as Ward establishes her mark. While there is space for new and returning faces, the core group is expected to remain largely unchanged for the immediate future
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