3 days ago
Preview: Irish promotion hopes on the line in Istanbul
Istanbul. A vast city shaped by the influences of former empires; decorated with Roman, Byzantine and Ottoman architecture, its skyline punctured by modern high-rise tower blocks. The old and the new.
The Republic of Ireland have arrived into this cultural melting pot with tectonic plates shifting beneath the squad's foundations. Niamh Fahey, Diane Caldwell and Julie-Ann Russell are all gone; soon Louise Quinn will follow them, the defender set to officially retire after the two friendlies against the USA at the end of June.
These great servants have left an indelible mark on the women's game, but the void they leave behind must be filled. It's an opportunity for the new figures to rise.
Erin Healy is the most recent addition to the setup and her call-up is interesting. The San Diego-born attacker played college football with Gonzaga University in Washington but had no pressing ambition to pursue a professional career, lining up a job in accounting.
A successful stint in Portugal with Club de Albergaria changed her perspective. Healy moved to Adelaide in September 2024 - the same month she received her Irish citizenship - and the rest is history.
Boss Carla Ward had suggested the 24-year-old A-League star was closing in on a move to Europe, potentially the WSL, so it was a surprise to see Adelaide announce earlier this week that Healy is staying Down Under for the 2025/26 campaign. That's going to be one hell of a commute.
First, she must make a good enough impression to ensure Ward wants her back.
Charlton's Melisa Filis was called up in Ward's first camp, didn't play a minute, and hasn't been seen since. In February 2023, Vera Pauw gave Australia-born Deborah-Anne De La Harpe her shot in a friendly against China in Spain. De La Harpe was taken off at half-time. She also hasn't been seen since.
These are the type of call-ups that Ward really needs to get right. Guided by the FAI's Head of Talent ID and Recruitment Aidan Price, Ireland are scouring the globe for eligible talents, with many players actively reaching out to the association to let them know they are willing and able to represent the Girls in Green.
That's no bad thing, but Ward is simultaneously trying to nurture the young talent playing in the League of Ireland. She's been very positive about the league's quality, while acknowledging that the step up to international football is steep. Ruesha Littlejohn (Shamrock Rovers) and Aoibheann Clancy (Shelbourne) are the only to home-based players in the current squad.
If Healy doesn't cut the mustard, there'll be understandable groans of frustration within the league that she's been given this chance while others are overlooked.
Still, it makes sense to draft in someone of her age and profile.
Of the 24 players in the panel, only six are under 25: Tyler Toland (23), Abbie Larkin (20), Healy (24), Jessie Stapleton (20), Emily Murphy (22) and Aoibheann Clancy (21). Omitting the soon-to-be-retired Quinn, 12 of the 23 will be aged 30 or over by the time the World Cup qualifiers begin next spring.
Ward is trying to build for the future while getting results along the way. It's a tricky task. But Ireland could do with unearthing more good footballers in the 22 to 28 age bracket to strengthen their chances of making it to Brazil in 2027 and the 2029 Euros.
For the moment, the focus is on getting back to League A of the Nations League, which would boost Ireland's seeding for World Cup qualification.
The Group 2 winners go straight up, second place sends you into a two-legged promotion/relegation play-off against one of the League A third-placed teams. Truth be told, two more competitive games in the autumn would be no harm as the team wades through a period of transition.
They'll be braced for a physical battle this evening against a decent Turkish outfit.
Necla Gungor Kiragasi set her players up in a 4-4-2 block in Dublin instructing the likes of Ebru Topcu and Busem Seker to bite into tackles on a bad pitch. They duly obliged. Ireland laboured to a 1-0 victory but the visitors very nearly pinched a point at the death when Arzu Karabulut spurned a great opportunity.
In their four Nations League games to date the Turks have conceded five goals - three of them coming in a 3-0 away loss to Slovenia, who really do look like a coming team. They're a tough nut to crack, so Ireland will need guile and patience here.
Leanne Kiernan (quad) and Heather Payne (Achilles) are both out so Abbie Larkin could get a run from the start. Healy, the newbie, might feature off the bench at some point. She's impressed Ward and her staff in training this week, and is a bit of a wild card if the visitors are struggling to break Turkey down.
Captain Katie McCabe trained yesterday having linked up with the squad on Wednesday. The Dubliner is coming back down to earth after helping Arsenal to a magnificent Champions League final win against Barcelona. Ward has said she's raring to go but McCabe has been managing a calf niggle for a while now and might be held in reserve; especially with the Slovenia game at Páirc Uí Chaoimh in mind.
Kyra Carusa will lead the line having missed the 2-1 defeat of Greece due to a quad injury, while Megan Connolly is also back in the frame after missing that March window.
As for Louise Quinn? Don't be surprised to see her make a cameo up top if Ireland need a goal. Ward has said she won't be afraid to use Campbell's big throws and Quinn's aerial prowess if she needs to.
A big winner would be another sweet moment in what's been a superb Ireland career.
Prediction: Turkey 0-1 Republic of Ireland
REPUBLIC OF IRELAND 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)
