Vera Pauw has been forced to make a number of changes to our Senior Women’s squad for the upcoming qualifiers against Slovakia and Georgia. Injury rules out Leanne Kiernan, Ellen Molloy and Claire Walsh and they have been replaced by Isibeal Atkinson, Jessie Stapleton and Emily Whelan with Jessica Ziu also added to the squad. The third goalkeeping place will be filled by Megan Walsh who has played for England at U17, U19 and U23 level and has now received clearance from FIFA to make the switch.
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Head Coach Vera Pauw has named her 25 player Republic of Ireland Senior Women squad for the upcoming 2023 World Cup qualifiers against Slovakia on Thursday the 25th November and Georgia on Tuesday the 30th November with both fixtures scheduled for Tallaght Stadium at 7pm. A third goalkeeper will be added to the squad once international clearance comes through from FIFA.
It has also been confirmed that Wexford Coach Tom Elmes has replaced Eileen Gleeson, who has taken up the reins at Glasgow City, as Assistant to Vera Pauw.
Squad
Goalkeepers: Courtney Brosnan (Everton), Grace Moloney (Reading)
Defenders: Diane Caldwell (North Carolina Courage), Niamh Fahey (Liverpool), Savannah McCarthy (Galway WFC), Aine O’Gorman (Peamount United), Eabha O’Mahony (Boston College), Louise Quinn (Birmingham City), Claire Walsh (Glasgow City)
Midfielders: Aoibheann Clancy (Wexford WFC), Megan Connolly (Brighton & Hove Albion), Niamh Farrelly (Glasgow City), Jamie Finn (Birmingham City), Ciara Grant (Shelbourne), Ruesha Littlejohn (Aston Villa), Katie McCabe (Arsenal), Roma McLaughlin (Central Connecticut State), Ellen Molloy (Wexford Youths), Denise O’Sullivan (North Carolina Courage)
Forwards: Amber Barrett (FC Koln), Kyra Carusa (HB Koge), Leanne Kiernan (Liverpool), Saoirse Noonan (Shelbourne), Heather Payne (Florida State University), Lucy Quinn (Birmingham City)
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Head Coach Vera Pauw named the same starting eleven that faced Sweden for this afternoon’s 2023 World Cup qualifier against Finland in the Olympic Stadium, Helsinki where Ireland secured a very significant two one victory against the second seeds (26/10/2021).
A Megan Connolly free kick on 10 minutes gave Ireland the lead and disciplined defending maintained that scoreline to the half-time break. Finland started the second half on the front foot and equalised just seven minutes after the re-start. The Irish response was swift and just four minutes later they reclaimed the lead with a headed goal from Denise O’Sullivan. The hosts did mount several attacks but again the defence stood strong and held the advantage to the end.
Team: Courtney Brosnan; Jamie Finn, Niamh Fahey, Louise Quinn, Savannah McCarthy; Aine O’Gorman, Lucy Quinn, Megan Connolly, Denise O’Sullivan, Katie McCabe(C); Heather Payne
Substitutes:
Rianna Jarrett for Lucy Quinn 75′
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Our Senior Women, under the guidance of Head Coach Vera Pauw, commenced their 2023 World Cup qualifying campaign with a one nil defeat by top seeds and world Number 2 ranked Sweden in Tallaght Stadium this Thursday evening (21/10/2021).
The team was set up in a solid 4-5-1 formation and stuck valiantly to their task for the full 90+6 minutes. The goal which defeated us came on 39 minutes and was an extremely unfortunate ‘own goal’ from Louise Quinn.
The ‘Player of the Match’ award went to goalkeeper Courtney Brosnan and while none could be faulted for commitment and effort there were sterling performers in midfielder Lucy Quinn who was earning just her second cap, Denise O’Sullivan and captain Katie McCabe.
The squad will now re-group and travel to take on second seeds Finland in the Olympic Stadium at 4.15pm next Tuesday afternoon with RTE 2 and RTE Player bringing live coverage from Helsinki.
Team: Courtney Brosnan; Jamie Finn, Niamh Fahey, Louise Quinn, Savannah McCarthy; Aine O’Gorman, Lucy Quinn, Megan Connolly, Denise O’Sullivan, Katie McCabe(C); Heather Payne
Substitutes:
Amber Barrett for Finn 74′
Leanne Kiernan for Payne 74′
Saoirse Noonan for Lucy Quinn 90’+3′
Squad
Goalkeepers: Eve Badana (DLR Waves), Courtney Brosnan (Everton), Amanda Budden (Shelbourne), Grace Moloney (Reading)
Defenders: Diane Caldwell (North Carolina Courage), Niamh Fahey (Liverpool), Savannah McCarthy (Galway WFC), Aine O’Gorman (Peamount United), Eabha O’Mahony (Boston College), Louise Quinn (Birmingham City), Harriet Scott (Birmingham City), Claire Walsh (Glasgow City)
Midfielders: Aoibheann Clancy (Wexford WFC), Megan Connolly (Brighton & Hove Albion), Niamh Farrelly (Glasgow City), Jamie Finn (Birmingham City), Ciara Grant (Shelbourne), Katie McCabe (Arsenal), Roma McLaughlin (Central Connecticut State), Denise O’Sullivan (North Carolina Courage), Jessica Ziu (Shelbourne)
Forwards: Amber Barrett (FC Koln), Rianna Jarrett London City Lionesses), Leanne Kiernan (Liverpool), Saoirse Noonan (Shelbourne), Heather Payne (Florida State University), Lucy Quinn (Birmingham City)