Ireland number eight Aoife Wafer on cusp of move to English Premiership as Harlequins line up move for star player
Ireland No 8 Aoife Wafer is on the verge of a move to the English Premiership.
The brilliant Wexford native, who this week won the 2025 Six Nations Player of the Championship, the first Irish player to do so, is set to join Harlequins after the World Cup, leaving the IRFU's professional system but remaining available to the national team.
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Irish Daily Mirror
33 minutes ago
- Irish Daily Mirror
Ireland's Jack Taylor pinpoints key reason for team's struggles in Luxembourg
Jack Taylor has told Heimir Hallgrimsson to trust him in the World Cup campaign. The Ipswich Town attacking midfielder used the Senegal and Luxembourg friendlies to enhance his claims for a bigger role - and in different positions too. He played off striker Adam Idah in the draw with Senegal and then came on in a deeper role against Luxembourg - and nearly won it at the death, but for the crossbar. Taylor's versatility is an asset and the English-born ace revealed how determined he was to seize this opportunity in Ireland's final warm-up games before the World Cup. "I knew there was a good chance of me starting, especially friendlies, to feed some new lads in who haven't had the opportunity yet,' he said. "I knew it was a big opportunity for me so I came in with a strong mindset to force myself into the manager's mind. "It was always the aim to be a starter. The lads did very well in the previous camps so I've been thinking to myself to impress with every opportunity I get.' Taylor continued: 'I can play numerous positions, I can do all of them and don't really have a set position. I just want to get the boys playing good, fast-flowing football 'We like to sit off in a 4-4-2 formation when we are out of possession, so it is a little bit deeper, but I'm quite a versatile player. 'I can adjust to roles quite easily so I don't mind where I'm playing as long as I'm playing and playing well, that's all that matters.' But Ireland boss Hallgrimsson won't stand for another performance like Tuesday's in Luxembourg when the qualifiers roll around in September. Ireland play Hungary at home before travelling to Armenia but Taylor feels there were reasons for the sloppy showing in Luxembourg. He said: 'There is context to it. It was the last day of the season for all the lads, all the lads know they are going on holiday the next day, so a bit of that comes into play. 'We prepared so well coming into this camp and all the lads knew the standards weren't where we had set them before. 'But you have to take the positives out of it. We have come away from home and got a clean sheet, but we know going forward that we have to improve. 'But we are definitely improving and we can only get better. We'll take a lot of positives from Senegal. Everyone just has to stay fit and be in top condition for September.'
Irish Examiner
an hour ago
- Irish Examiner
Ireland battle but fall short against World No.1 Netherlands in close first encounter
Netherlands 2-0 Ireland Ireland resumed their FIH Pro League season with a close encounter against World No.1 and Olympic champions the Netherlands in Amstelveen. A strong performance from a battling Ireland saw them enjoy long periods of possession and create several chances in front of goal. However, two fortunate goals for the Netherlands saw the home side secure a 2-0 win. The Netherlands threatened from early in the match, with defender Lee Cole called into action almost immediately to clear the ball off the line from an early chance. Ireland responded positively, holding possession well and managing to progress into the Dutch final third, with Ben Walker making his way into the circle, followed by a blocked shot from Alistair Empey. Ireland continued to dominate possession, but a rare chance for the Dutch called Jaime Carr into action to make a smart save. Thierry Brinkman thought he had broken the deadlock with a reverse stick shot but Ireland immediately opted to refer for backstick, which the video umpire agreed with chalking the goal off, seeing the sides end the opening quarter locked at 0-0. Early Dutch pressure again forced Ireland to defend resolutely, answering any questions asked from them. Luke Madeley responded by dribbling out of defence to break the Dutch press, allowing Ireland to mount an attack that ended in Ali Empey drawing a clumsy challenge and winning the first penalty corner of the tie. Luke Madeley's subsequent effort was well blocked by the Dutch first runner. Ireland continued to ask questions of the Dutch, with incisive runs from Fearghus Gibson and Daragh Walsh providing chances. However, a controversial penalty corner for the Netherlands offered them a chance to open the scoring, which Luke Dommershuijzen dispatched to score his first senior goal. Late pressure from the Netherlands in the first half threatened to widen the gap, but a superb block from Matthew Nelson and further defending denied them their second as the sides went into the break. Ireland got the second half underway and immediately looked to attack. Positive play in the final third led to a shot from Lee Cole inside the first minute, but his strike was deemed dangerous, and the Netherlands were given a free out. Patience in possession for Ireland continued to pay dividends, as Matthew Nelson attacked the circle and was unlucky not to get an outcome. The Netherlands, however, showed their goalscoring prowess to double their lead from their first chance of the second half, Steijn van Heijningen deflecting the ball into the net with the deftest of touches. Ireland, though, were determined to continue their positive performance, immediately winning a penalty corner which, again, the Netherlands defended well. Ireland followed this up with another well-worked attacking move which, again, the Dutch cleared. A late flurry of penalty corners before the end of the third quarter called the Irish defence into action again, denying the hosts on three occasions to keep the score at 2-0 at the end of quarter 3. The Netherlands found a higher gear in the final quarter, enjoying longer periods of pressure and manufacturing a handful of shots at goal which Jaime Carr was alive to. Ireland's determination would continue to show with Ali Empey winning Ireland their third penalty corner of the game. Lee Cole's resulting effort was saved and cleared. A penalty corner for the Netherlands inside the final five minutes offered the last moment of note of the game, with Jaime Carr again making a save, to see the game finish in a two-nil win for the Dutch, with the result seeing them extend their lead at the top of the FIH Pro League table to 7 points. The pair will meet again tomorrow, June 12, at 7pm.
The 42
2 hours ago
- The 42
Minimal change in low-key squad announcement for Ireland's US summer tests
THE ANNOUNCEMENT WAS low-key, the squad itself not straying too far from recent iterations after all. It was released through FAI social media channels at noon, while a press release landed in journalists' inboxes. There was no press conference with head coach Carla Ward, as is customary; some quotes instead circulated for use as the 23-player selection for a friendly double-header against the US was unveiled. Katie McCabe's unavailability was flagged last week, the captain rested after a hectic season which culminated in Champions League glory with Arsenal. Ward stated McCabe was 'on the verge of burnout' after the Nations League group finale against Slovenia, and suggested 'a number' of other players would not travel Stateside for the off-season series. More change was probably anticipated than followed, Ward selecting a relatively familiar squad as Ireland build towards their Nations League play-off with Belgium in October. Eight players were listed by the FAI as unavailable, four of them long-term injury absentees in Jamie Finn, Jess Ziu, Lily Agg and Tara O'Hanlon. Heather Payne and Leanne Kiernan had both been ruled out of the last camp, while Aoife Mannion joined the captain as the other name: the Manchester United defender played the first half of the Türkiye game, but didn't feature against Slovenia as her load — and a quad knock — was managed. Aside from the now-retired Louise Quinn, Shelbourne's Aoibheann Clancy was the only other player from the last squad not included following a recent bereavement. 'The WNT players and staff send their condolences to midfielder Aoibheann Clancy following the passing of her mother, Siobhan. She is being given the time to deal with this difficult period and has the full support of the WNT squad,' read the press release. Advertisement Hayley Nolan and Izzy Atkinson (centre) return to the squad. Ryan Byrne / INPHO Ryan Byrne / INPHO / INPHO Ellen Molloy, Hayley Nolan and Izzy Atkinson were the three headline inclusions. Molloy and Nolan receive their first call-ups under Ward. Molloy has been impressing in the SSE Airtricity Women's Premier Division since returning to Wexford, and now gets a fresh opportunity with Ireland. The 21-year-old midfielder was a regular under Vera Pauw, before an ACL injury interrupted her rise. A move to Championship outfit Sheffield United followed, and Molloy won her first senior cap since 2022 in last October's Euro 2025 playoff semi-final against Georgia. Another injury followed, she left Sheffield in January after four months due to personal reasons, and has been thriving amid home comforts. Nolan is back in the fold for the first time since late 2023 under Eileen Gleeson, having last played for Ireland in the pre-World Cup friendlies against the US. It's a full circle moment for the Crystal Palace defender, who has see-sawed between fine form and injury in recent times. 'Hayley has been unlucky to miss out on being included in recent squads, simply because we have a lot of competition for places at centre-back,' said Ward. 'We have kept an eye on her at club level, I've spoken with her managers and also had conversations with her. So we are excited to bring Hayley in and give her a chance.' There notable change is in defence, in the absence of first-choice full-backs McCabe and Mannion. Atkinson gets the nod as another left-sided option alongside Megan Campbell and Chloe Mustaki, while right-back is an area in which Ireland currently lack choice. Mannion appeared to nail down the position through the Nations League, though is naturally a centre-back. Jessie Stapleton deputised against Slovenia and will most likely have to do so again without injured duo Payne and Finn, but Nolan's versatility could also be useful. Expect huge competition at centre-half: there's a spot up for grabs for the first leg against Belgium with Anna Patten suspended, and no shortage of contenders. The rest of the squad runs along the same lines as the last, with no change in the goalkeeping department and Molloy added to a midfield selection spearheaded by Denise O'Sullivan, who will be stand-in captain. 'Ellen is a player who we have been tracking closely,' said Ward. 'She has done well for Wexford over the last two months and has been on the longlist for our squads, so we needed an opportunity to take a closer look at her in our environment and this is it. 'We know how talented Ellen is but it's how she can adapt that to international level is what we need to look at. I watched her when she was with Sheffield United and we've been watching her at Wexford, so we want to see how she gets on during this camp.' There's also continuity in attack, all who featured in the last window returning. New recruit Erin Healy is recalled, and could win her first cap in her country of birth. Atkinson is actually listed as a forward. The 23-year-old Dubliner gets a fresh international opportunity following her departure from Crystal Palace. She was in Ward's first squad where 'tough love' was offered after falling 'out of favour' at Palace, but was left out thereafter. Related Reads Recalls and absentees as Ireland squad named for US friendlies Have expectations been set too high for Ireland after mixed Nations League group? Like Molloy and Nolan, the 2023 World Cup bolter will be looking to get back in the picture. Ireland head coach Carla Ward. Ryan Byrne / INPHO Ryan Byrne / INPHO / INPHO Further experimentation with new faces, like younger and domestic talent, may have been hoped for in some quarters, but Ward sticks with pretty settled squad as the Belgium play-off looms large. The US provide formidable competition as the world number one, reigning Olympic champions and four-time World Cup winners. Their European-based players will be rested, but Emma Hayes still has an abundance of top stars to choose from. Ward cites her as a mentor and close friend and has unique insight, having worked in the set-up at the Paris 2024 Olympic Games as a scout and performance analyst. Now, she leads Ireland into their 16th and 17th meetings with the US in Denver (Thursday 26 June) and Cincinnati (Thursday 29 June). 'We know how good USA are, they've always been world-class but I believe Emma has taken them to another level and that's why this is a great test for us. To be coming up against the very best is a good opportunity for us,' said Ward. 'When these games were first proposed to us we knew that we would be without certain players, but that opens the door for others to step up. 'Of course you always want to win games but, for me, the most important aspect of these two games will be the performance and continuing to implement our processes. 'These two fixtures will be our final preparation, in terms of games, before we take on Belgium in October, so we want to make the most of these opportunities.'
