What can we expect as Carla Ward names Ireland squad for Nations League finale?
The selection for the final Nations League group double-header against Türkiye and Slovenia will be unveiled before 9am when Ward speaks to the media in Dublin.
Most eyes will be trained on the defenders: retiring centurion Louise Quinn has made herself available 'until the summer', the manager revealed last week.
Quinn last played for Ireland in a Euro 2025 qualifier win over France at Páirc Uí Chaoimh last July. A long-term hip injury sidelined her for much of the season, and the towering centre-half announced her retirement from football last month. She featured in Birmingham City's final Championship fixture, and could be set for an international farewell, pending selection.
Ward also confirmed last week that Heather Payne (Achilles) and Leanne Kiernan (quad) are unlikely to be available, but Megan Connolly and Kyra Carusa are back in the mix, having returned to full fitness. Connolly missed the Greece double bill due to an ankle setback, while Carusa sustained a hamstring issue and withdrew from the second game.
Since her appointment in January, Ward's squads have generally run along expected lines. Melisa Filis was the only new face in her first selection, but the Charlton Athletic midfielder was not recalled and remains uncapped. Shelbourne's Aoibheann Clancy was a headline inclusion last time out, while Saoirse Noonan and Chloe Mustaki also returned. Noonan, who scored 31 goals for Celtic this season, was the only one to get minutes.
Aoibheann Clancy (right) and Jess Fitzgerald, who recently trained with the squad, in actin in an FAI Women's Development game. Ryan Byrne / INPHO Ryan Byrne / INPHO / INPHO
Another Shelbourne player, Alex Kavanagh, was a later fringe addition, replacing the suspended Katie McCabe and bringing the number of Women's Premier Division representatives in the squad to three. Ruesha Littlejohn of Shamrock Rovers needs little introduction.
Advertisement
Ward and her assistant head coach, Alan Mahon, have been taking in games across the domestic league, while there has been a WhatsApp group set up with club managers.
After watching Shamrock Rovers versus Sligo Rovers at Tallaght Stadium two weeks ago, the former Aston Villa manager identified 15-year-old Hoops left-back Keelin Comiskey as 'the best player on the pitch by a mile'.
'Tidy' Ellen Molloy, who returned to Wexford after a stint at Sheffield United, has been staking a claim for a recall, while there are several other players across the league on the radar. It's understood Shelbourne defender Jess Gargan was in the provisional squad last time out.
'We will continue to look at not just performances on the pitch but how much everybody wants it, on and off the pitch. We look at every aspect,' Ward recently explained.
'Aoibheann Clancy for example, she hasn't left me alone since the last camp, wanting to know everything about reviews. She's so hungry to learn and that's what you want. Whether it's Ellen, Alex, the young left-back, we look at every aspect of being a top pro.'
Sarah Rowe (right) celebrating A-League Women's glory on Sunday. Alamy Stock Photo Alamy Stock Photo
The 42 understands Sarah Rowe has been included in recent extended squads. The Mayo multi-sport star helped Central Coast Mariners to historic A-League Women's success over the weekend, having recently transitioned from winger to right-back.
Rowe is due back to Collingwood for AFLW pre-season this month, but told The 42 that she would 'never turn down an opportunity to play for my country'.
Ciara Grant also won a league title with Hibernian in Scotland this weekend, but the Donegal midfielder hasn't been called up since the 2023 World Cup.
Ward was at Wembley Stadium on Sunday for Chelsea's FA Cup final win over Manchester United. United's Aoife Mannion was the only Irish international in action — and is one of the few WSL players still with her club, ahead of the inaugural World Sevens Football tournament in Lisbon this week.
Katie McCabe will travel to the Portuguese capital for one of the biggest games of her career on Saturday as Arsenal face Barcelona in the Champions League final.
The Ireland captain is due to arrive late to camp as a result. The squad report directly to Istanbul on Sunday, ahead of next Friday's game, with the Páirc Uí Chaoimh showdown against Slovenia scheduled for the following Tuesday.
While question marks may hang over McCabe's availability for Türkiye, she and Denise O'Sullivan will spearhead tomorrow's squad. As with before, there will be a familiar core, but perhaps some freshness.
Denise O'Sullivan (left) and Katie McCabe. Ryan Byrne / INPHO Ryan Byrne / INPHO / INPHO
Ward has also not shied away from her plans to draft in dual eligible players, like her predecessors Eileen Gleeson and Vera Pauw. FAI Head of Talent ID and Recruitment, Aidan Price, is operating in that realm, while 'one or two (players) made themselves available for the last camp and again this one'.
'It's got to be right for squad balance and for us. If we believe they can add value, they'll be selected,' Ward added. The 42 previously highlighted rising A-League star and American-born forward Erin Healy as one potential candidate, while Kelly Brady — the New Yorker who plays for Ireland U19s — has been in superb form for Athlone Town.
In terms of long-term injury absentees, Jamie Finn is back playing minutes after a lengthy ACL recovery, while Jess Ziu (ACL) and Tara O'Hanlon (MCL) are on the comeback trail. Lily Agg is a little further behind. Izzy Atkinson, Ward clarified, is fit and available but has not been selected recently. Megan Campbell joins Grace Moloney as a free agent, having also departed Championship winners London City Lionesses.
There will be no shortage of talking points when Ward faces the media tomorrow morning — including Hannah Dingley's departure as FAI Head of Women and Girls' Football — but all eyes will be on what should be an interesting squad.
Hashtags
Try Our AI Features
Explore what Daily8 AI can do for you:
Comments
No comments yet...
Related Articles
RTÉ News
7 minutes ago
- RTÉ News
Sligo Rovers sign former Ipswich defender Edwin Agbaje
Sligo Rovers have signed defender Edwin Agbaje on a short-term deal until until the end of the season. The Offaly native, who operates predominantly on the right side, joins the Bit O'Red having departed Championship side Ipswich Town recently. The 21-year-old began his life in football at local side Edenderry Town, before moving on to join the academy at Shamrock Rovers at 14. Two years later, he was picked up by the Tractor Boys and spent five years there and was also loaned to both Sutton United and Yeovil Town. Agbaje has represented the Republic of Ireland at various underage levels and was named Ipswich's Academy Player of the Year in 2023. Agbaje is the seventh new player in the door this summer as manager John Russell looks to finish the season strongly. Speaking to the full-back says he feels the Showgrounds is the ideal place for him to continue his career, noting the club's model and record in terms of giving youth a chance. "I spoke to people at the club a lot over the summer and got to hear in detail about the style of play and how things are done here at Rovers," he said. "It really impressed me and Sligo seems like a place where I can really fit in. It's a great place for young players like myself to develop. John (Russell) has a proven track record of bringing through, developing and giving chances to younger players like me so the opportunity here speaks for itself. "I've been here for a few sessions now and I am loving it. I've got on really well with the players and coaches so now I'm just looking forward to getting out there and helping the team out. "I love to attack, to get forward and support the front men. But I'm a defender first and foremost and my job is to keep the ball out of our net and that's what I'm here to do." Russell has long been an admirer of the former Shamrock Rovers defender and says the move is one that he hopes will benefit both parties. "Edwin is an extremely talented player," he says. "He's got all the attributes you look for in a defender. He has pace, he's strong, aggressive and good on the ball.
Extra.ie
3 hours ago
- Extra.ie
Andy Moran's shade at recent running of Mayo team as he's ratified as manager
Mayo have finally ended their managerial chase as Andy Moran was ratified in on a three-year term. The former footballer of the year and Mayo legend takes his county's top job after time in the backroom at Monaghan after three years in charge of Leitrim previously. He replaces Kevin McStay and Stephen Rochford as Mayo manager after Rochford had taken over from McStay in light of his health issues. It was a messy time for The Westerners and it saw their championship end early. Andy Moran. Photo by Seb Daly/Sportsfile Mayo have decided top go in a new direction and after his first press conference as Mayo manager, Andy Moran looks like he's looking to make changes. He made it clear that all players are welcomed back and that he'll pick the best available, while also hinting at that not always happening in recent years. 'The key thing is to get the best players in Mayo playing for Mayo, which, quite unusually over the last couple of years, mightn't have always been the case. We need to get the best players playing.' Leitrim manager Andy Moran. Pic: INPHO/Leah Scholes The biggest name this could effect is that of Cillian O'Connor. O'Connor opted out of the 2025 campaign but Moran is hopeful the Ballintubber forward will return to intercounty play next year. It's not just established names looking to be brought back but Moran was optimistic of the young talent coming through the ranks at Mayo. 'In terms of young talent, there's a crop of Under-20s there that just missed out narrowly against Louth this year (in the All-Ireland semi-final). There's a crop of minors coming through that are really talented, who lost to Armagh in last year's All-Ireland semi-final. Cillian O'Connor. Pic: INPHO/Lorraine O'Sullivan 'There's been a few Connacht titles (at underage) and a few green shoots over the last couple of years, which is great to see. It's about how we keep being competitive with the strong players we have and embedding these young players in amongst it. That's going to be the major role for the management team over the next couple of years.' Moran's former teammate Colm Boyle is on the new manager's coaching ticket. Meanwhile, recently departed Derry manager Paddy Tally is also joining Mayo as a coach.
Irish Independent
3 hours ago
- Irish Independent
Sligo Rovers sign former Ipswich Town defender Edwin Agbaje
The 21-year-old departed EFL Championship side Ipswich Town this summer after spending five years at the club. The Offaly native, who operates predominantly on the right side, signed for Shamrock Rovers at the age of 14, and two years later was signed by The Tractor Boys. Agbaje, who has represented the Republic of Ireland at various underage levels, also enjoyed loan spells at Sutton United and Yeovil Town. The defender was named Ipswich's Academy Player of the Year in 2023. The latest arrival at the Showgrounds is John Russell's seventh new signing of the summer. 'I spoke to people at the club a lot over the summer and got to hear in detail about the style of play and how things are done here at Rovers', Agbaje said. 'It really impressed me and Sligo seems like a place where I can really fit in. It's a great place for young players like myself to develop. John (Russell) has a proven track record of bringing through, developing and giving chances to younger players like me so the opportunity here speaks for itself. 'I've been here for a few sessions now and I am loving it. I've got on really well with the players and coaches so now I'm just looking forward to getting out there and helping the team out. 'I love to attack, to get forward and support the front men. But I'm a defender first and foremost and my job is to keep the ball out of our net and that's what I'm here to do. 'I'm looking to settle in as quickly as I can. I know we only have a handful of games left so I want to play in as many games as I can and help the club pick up as many wins as we can along the way. There's great competition here and that just helps things along.' Manager John Russell added: 'Edwin is an extremely talented player', he says. 'He's got all the attributes you look for in a defender. He has pace, he's strong, aggressive and good on the ball. 'We feel he can make a big impact here between now and the end of the season. 'As a manager, I am constantly looking to improve the team and bring in quality. I've been in contact with Edwin for a while now so I am delighted he has decided to join us. We really feel he can thrive here at Sligo Rovers.'
