Retiring Ireland legend makes shock return to ‘bring her leadership' to Carla Ward's squad ahead of Nations League games
Last month, the veteran defender
2
Carla Ward has named her Ireland squad for the Nations League double header against Turkey and Slovenia
Credit: Stephen McCarthy/Sportsfile
2
Louise Quinn is back in the squad despite announcing her retirement
Credit: Stephen McCarthy/Sportsfile
She was believed to have played the last game of her career in
Birmingham
City's final day draw against the
London
City Lionesses in the
Championship
.
However, in an unexpected twist, the 34-year-old has been named in Carla Ward's squad "to bring her experience" for
the games
against Turkiye (May 30) and
The Blessington woman will still be hanging up the
boots
this
summer
, but her presence will be a welcome boost to an injury-blighted panel.
Heather Payne (Achilles) and Leanne Kiernan (quad) will miss the games while Tara O'Hanlon,
Read More on Ireland WNT
Megan Connolly returns after missing the back-to-back wins over
Greece
in April.
There is a first call-up for Adelaide United forward Erin Healy, who qualifies through her Monaghan-born Grandfather.
Originally from
San Diego
,
USA
, the 24-year-old has scored eight goals in her debut season in the A-League.
Captain
Most read in Football
She will be aiming to become the fourth Irish woman to pick up a winners' medal for
The Girls in Green will be looking to cap off League B with a bang when they play their final two games.
Carla Ward explains why Ireland don't need 'drastic changes' as Katie McCabe vows 'way more' to come from squad
It starts with the trip to Istanbul to face Turkiye on May 30, followed by the visit of Slovenia to Tallaght on June 3.
Ward's side will be out for
revenge
in the latter, with Slovenia infamously beating
Ireland
4-0 back in February in the low point of the new manager's tenure.
Wins in both games will guarantee Ireland a promotion play-off to League A, while they could leapfrog Slovenia to automatic promotion if they drop points to Greece.
Ireland WNT Squad
Goalkeepers:
Courtney Brosnan (Everton), Grace Moloney (Unattached),
Sophie
Whitehouse (Charlton Athletic)
Defenders:
Jessie Stapleton (West Ham United), Aoife Mannion (Manchester United), Anna Patten (Aston Villa), Caitlin Hayes (Brighton & Hove Albion), Louise Quinn (Unattached),
Chloe
Mustaki (Bristol City), Megan Campbell (Unattached),
Katie McCabe
(Arsenal)
Midfielders:
Denise O'Sullivan (North Carolina Courage), Ruesha Littlejohn (Shamrock Rovers), Megan Connolly (Lazio), Tyler Toland (Blackburn Rovers), Marissa Sheva (Sunderland), Aoibheann Clancy (Shelbourne)
Forwards:
Kyra Carusa (San Diego Wave), Amber Barrett (Standard Liege), Abbie Larkin (Crystal Palace), Lucy Quinn (Birmingham City), Emily Murphy (Newcastle United), Saoirse Noonan (Celtic), Erin Healy (Adelaide United)
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