Team news: Captain Katie McCabe starts in Turkey
Captain Katie McCabe starts for the Republic of Ireland in this evening's Nations League clash against Turkey (6pm ko, live on RTÉ2), six days after helping Arsenal to a famous Champions League final triumph.
McCabe only linked up with the Ireland camp in Istanbul on Wednesday. The 29-year-old had been given permission to arrive later as she soaked up the celebrations in the aftermath of the Gunners' 1-0 defeat of Barcelona.
Boss Carla Ward said on Thursday that McCabe was keen to go straight into the action for her country, and she does indeed get the nod at left-back as the Girls in Green look to keep alive their hopes of winning League B Group 2.
Amber Barrett keeps her place up top, meaning Kyra Carusa - who missed the 2-1 win against Greece - has to settle for a place on the bench.
Barrett, hugely admired by Ward, will be flanked by Lucy Quinn and Abbie Larkin in the wide areas, with Lazio's Megan Connolly returning to the starting XI after she missed the double-header against the Greeks with an injury.
Connolly's inclusion means there's no room for Tyler Toland or Ruesha Littlejohn, while Marissa Sheva retains her place alongside Denise O'Sullivan in the engine room.
McCabe is the only change to the back four as Jessie Stapleton, Anna Patten and Aoife Mannion line up in front of goalkeeper Courtney Brosnan.
The Girls in Green realistically need a win to keep alive their hopes of topping Group 2 and earning promotion back to League A.
They welcome Slovenia to SuperValu Páirc Uí Chaoimh on Tuesday for the last game of their Nations League campaign.
Ireland beat Turkey 1-0 at Tallght Stadium in February thanks to Kyra Carusa's first-half header.
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