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Irish Times
a day ago
- General
- Irish Times
Republic of Ireland v Turkey live updates: Nations League brings Carla Ward's side to Istanbul
Nations League B, Group 2: Turkey v Republic of Ireland, Esenler Erok Stadium, Istanbul (kick-off 6pm Irish time) Key Reads: Turkey v Republic of Ireland preview 'I'm here to play': Republic of Ireland defender Louise Quinn aims to go out on a high in Nations League ties Katie McCabe's story: How gifted Dubliner reached top level of European soccer 2 minutes ago Afternoon everyone. Welcome along to The Irish Times live blog for the Republic of Ireland's Nations League game against Turkey. Carla Ward's side are away this time around, having previously beaten Turkey 1-0 in Tallaght back in February, when Kyra Carusa provided the match-winning goal. The Girls in Green are in Istanbul, Esenler Erok Stadium to be exact, where they will be a 6pm (Irish time) kick-off. Follow along here for live updates on all the action. The game is also being televised live on RTÉ2.
Extra.ie
5 days ago
- Sport
- Extra.ie
Louise Quinn: 'You never want to stop playing for Ireland but it must happen some time'
Louise Quinn says that she was 'sobbing at the airport' on Sunday afternoon, as she left to join up with the Ireland squad in Istanbul. Quinn and her partner Eilish welcomed Darragh into the world back in March, and this stretch, ahead of Friday's Nations League encounter against Turkey, will be the longest she has ever been away from their young son. Darragh's arrival was a major factor in the veteran defender announcing her retirement a few weeks ago. The Blessington native turns 35 next month and has struggled with a hip issue for much of this season. However, she made herself available for Ireland boss Carla Ward for this crucial Nations League double-header, against Turkey, before they face Slovenia in Pairc Uí Chaoimh, where Quinn last featured for Ireland in the 3-1 win over France last July. Carla Ward. Pic: Stephen McCarthy/Sportsfile She may also find herself in the squad that travels to the US at the end of next month. 'I wanted to do my best to make myself available to end this campaign,' Quinn explained from the team hotel in Istanbul yesterday. 'With the timing of when the Championship finishes, Birmingham wanted to put something together. Was lovely they wanted to give me a send-off, but in my head, I was thinking of getting myself back fit and do everything to make myself available, and then it was up to Carla if she wanted to bring me in. Louise Quinn. Pic: Stephen McCarthy/Sportsfile 'Thankfully, that's how it went and I'm back.' Having lost experienced players such as Niamh Fahey, Diane Caldwell and Julie-Ann Russell, Ward might have been tempted to try and change Quinn's mind on retirement, given that her leadership skills are needed more than ever. 'No, not really, because I am a grown woman and I have to make those decisions,' says the 121-times capped defender. 'But I would have spoken to her when she came into the job, and just in general, and she was hoping and wondering when I would be coming back from injury. Republic of Ireland's Anna Patten, Lily Agg and Louise Quinn. Pic: Stephen McCarthy/Sportsfile 'For me, it has always been positive that she wanted me around if I have been fit and able. 'Listen, if I could keep the Irish team as my club team forever, that would be me now, I would be set. This is the team I could play with forever, and leaving this team is the most difficult thing about retirement. 'It has been my whole life. That was the hardest thing, you want to stop and take that time but you don't want to stop that feeling of how magic it is, coming into camp and playing for your country. But it has to stop at some stage.' Louise Quinn. Pic: David Fitzgerald/Sportsfile Quinn's hip problem meant she missed the heartbreaking Euro 2025 play-off defeat to Wales, and she feels that some of the difficulties in this campaign have been a hangover from that disappointing result in the Aviva. 'For me, you could maybe see a little bit of a hangover from those games. There has to be. We have really strong characters, we have leaders, we have personalities. It's now just trying to gradually step in for them to ease into some of these leadership roles that have been missing. Louise Quinn. Pic: Stephen McCarthy/Sportsfile 'We absolutely have some of the girls that it's natural to them, and they probably do it at club level, and now again, you're asking, okay, how about another step up, another level? 'Can you do it at an international level? And it's not going to happen like clicking your fingers. 'But we have some really strong people, strong personalities and so for me I can see that the team has grown through this campaign. And I think that's what is most important, and now we've really got to get the results and back it up.' Denise O'Sullivan and Louise Quinn. Pic: ©INPHO/James Crombie Quinn believes that the loss to Wales and missing out on the tournament this summer will act as a springboard to further success for this team in the same way that the defeat in Ukraine that cost them a Euro 2021 playoff place drove the side on to qualify for its first World Cup. However, if the team does end up qualifying for the 2027 World Cup in Brazil, they will do so with Quinn cheering on from the side. As much as she is going to miss the camaraderie of the dressing room and representing her country on the international stage, the arrival of Darragh has changed priorities for Quinn. Louise Quinn. Pic: INPHO/James Crombie 'Obviously, my son is coming along; he's been a big part of the decision. You want to have that time that I've never had. I've constantly missed out on events with friends and family, just seeing them for little more than 24, 48 hours, actually being able to go home and enjoy Christmas. 'I've missed so much with my own family and friends, now that I have my own little family, I want to be able to be there and (be) a bit more present, and potentially (have) a schedule that's more flexible. You miss one training session and it could be you start or don't start. 'I did go to my cousin's wedding in the summer. I flew in for less than 24 hours, went to the wedding, drove back home later that night and got a flight first thing at o'clock in the morning. 'This isn't how I wanted to celebrate my family all the time. 'Darragh probably doesn't have a clue really, but I just think it's important that I'm also around and flexible and there for Eilish. It's always an important time, but this is so new that you want to have all hands on deck and look after him.' Quinn insists that Ward has offered her no guarantees of starting either of these games, but it feels like this double bill is the perfect way for supporters to bid farewell to one of Irish football's great servants.
Irish Times
5 days ago
- Sport
- Irish Times
‘I'm here to play': Republic of Ireland defender Louise Quinn aims to go out on a high in Nations League ties
Senior international camps have been a home from home for Louise Quinn over the years. She has, after all, spent a fair chunk of her life on duty with the Republic of Ireland . There will be a sense of poignancy about this one, though. Barring her being involved in Ireland's summer friendlies away to the United States , this will be her last time in camp. The 34-year-old announced her imminent retirement from football in late April. All the indications suggest that the upcoming Nations League double header will be a last hurrah for her. Ireland face Turkey away on Friday before a home match against Slovenia next Tuesday. 'It's lovely that they wanted to give me a send-off,' says the defender. But she's not here to make up the numbers and hopes to force her way into Carla Ward's team. Having missed much of the latter part of the season with Birmingham City due to a hip injury, she insists she's fighting fit and looking to add to her 121 caps in one or both of the games. 'I'm here to play, I'm here to fight for my position,' she added. 'It's not going to be given to me, I absolutely know that. Carla doesn't owe me anything, but I'm going to be training hard all week to try and get myself in the team. We'll just see how it goes.' READ MORE In an ideal world, Quinn would have signed off after playing in Euro 2025 this July, but Wales put the kibosh on those hopes with their play-off win over two legs. Still, she agonised over the decision. Ultimately, the desire to spend more time with her family – notably her wife Eilish and son Daragh, who was born in March – swayed it. So now that I have my own little family, I want to be able to be there and be a bit more present — Louise Quinn 'Daragh is, of course, a big part of it. I've missed so much with my own family and friends over the years, constantly missing events. I did go to my cousin's wedding in the summer, I flew in for less than 24 hours, went to the wedding, drove back home later that night and got a flight first thing at six in the morning. It's like, 'this isn't how I wanted to celebrate with my family all the time'. 'So now that I have my own little family, I want to be able to be there and be a bit more present. When he's so young, Daragh probably doesn't have a clue really, but I just think it's important that I'm around, flexible and there for Eilish. This is so brand new, so you want to have all hands on deck and look after him. [ 'So, when I say I am in, I am in' - Carla Ward reaffirms Ireland commitment Opens in new window ] [ TV View: Katie McCabe wins one for Ireland, sort of, as Arsenal topple Barcelona Opens in new window ] 'I was sobbing at the airport on Sunday, absolutely dreadful,' she says with a laugh. 'It doesn't take much for me to have a good cry now.' She's already been introducing Daragh to football, with last Saturday's Champions League final between Arsenal and Barcelona a case in point. 'I'm there holding him and I said to Eilish, 'if Katie [McCabe] scores, I am going to freak out'. And she was like, 'give me our son, do NOT frighten the crap out of him'.' Katie McCabe celebrates after Arsenal beat Barcelona in the Champions League final last Saturday. Photograph: Jose Breton/Inpho McCabe didn't score, but Stina Blackstenius did and Arsenal were crowned champions of Europe. Quinn was ecstatic for her former club, but especially so for Ireland captain McCabe. 'She is so deserving, I'm just so proud of her. Where she's come from, playing in the National League all those years ago, seeing her now stepping up on to the biggest club stage you can get. She just did us all proud. 'And with that tricolour, she made everyone aware that she is Irish. She is so proud of that. There've been times when it was difficult for her, trying to take the next step up, but she has constantly fought through it with her grit, her talent, her personality. It's just totally deserving. She's shown what a little girl from Tallaght can do.'
The 42
20-05-2025
- Sport
- The 42
Adelaide United striker Erin Healy earns first Ireland international call-up
US-BORN STRIKER Erin Healy has earned a first Ireland WNT call-up for the final Nations League double-header against Türkiye and Slovenia. The 24-year-old, who plays her football with Adelaide United in Australia's A-League, qualifies to represent Ireland through her Monaghan-born grandfather. Veteran defender Louise Quinn has been included for one last international camp ahead of her retirement this summer, while Megan Connolly returns having missed the games against Greece through injury. As expected, Heather Payne (Achilles) and Leanne Kiernan (quad) have both been ruled out, while Tara O'Hanlon, Jamie Finn, Lily Agg and Jess Ziu are all still unavailable through injury. The Ireland squad are due to report to Istanbul on Sunday to begin preparations for the penultimate League B Group 2 game against Türkiye on Friday, 30 May. Advertisement They then host Slovenia in Páirc Uí Chaoimh, Cork, on Tuesday, 3 June. Ward's side are currently second to Slovenia, who beat them 4-0 in Koper in February, with just the group winners promoted automatically to League A. The runners-up will chase promotion in playoffs later this year. 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)
Irish Times
20-05-2025
- Sport
- Irish Times
Louise Quinn recalled to Ireland squad alongside the uncapped Erin Healy
The soon to be retired Louise Quinn has been named in the Republic of Ireland squad to face Turkey and Slovenia in the Nations League. Ireland travel to Istanbul on May 30th before their final group match against Slovenia at Páirc Uí Chaoimh on June 3rd. Quinn announced her retirement last month after a 21-year club career that included 121 caps for Ireland. Carla Ward also included the uncapped Erin Healy after the American-born striker scored eight goals for Adelaide United in this season's Australian A-League. 'I've never been to Ireland so hopefully I can go soon,' said Healy. 'I would be so grateful. It would be super cool to play for them to represent my grandfather – that would be awesome. I've heard Ireland has a great fan base and I don't know if I have played before that many fans. READ MORE 'My grandpa grew up in Ireland and came to the US. So my mum is an Irish citizen, which allowed me to be as well. Right around when I graduated we decided to start the process. 'I just got my citizenship back in September, and I started thinking how it would be really cool to get an opportunity to play for their national team. So I've been talking with my agent and seeing if that's a realistic goal, and using this season to help me get on their radar. 'I'm super excited I have the citizenship and it's even a possibility.' Injuries have ruled out Heather Payne (Achilles) and Leanne Kiernan (Quad) while Tara O'Hanlon, Jamie Finn, Lily Agg and Jess Ziu continue to recover from long-term injuries. Shelbourne's Aoibheann Clancy and Shamrock Rovers midfielder Ruesha Littlejohn are the only League of Ireland players in a 24-strong squad that includes 13 players born outside Ireland – seven from England, five Americans and Littlejohn who was born in Scotland. Ireland captain Katie McCabe will link up with the squad in Turkey following Arsenal's Champions League final against Barcelona in Lisbon on Saturday. 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) 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) Nations League Fixtures League B, Group 2 Friday, May 30th Turkey v Ireland, Istanbul, 8pm Tuesday, June 3rd Ireland v Slovenia, Páirc Uí Chaoimh, 6pm
