Republic of Ireland Head Coach, Colin Bell has named a 22-player squad for the upcoming FIFA 2019 World Cup qualifiers against Slovakia and the Netherlands, reports fai.ie.
Ireland face their first home qualifying matches of the campaign at Tallaght Stadium in April, against Slovakia on Friday 6th April with kick-off at 5pm, and then face European Champions the Netherlands on Tuesday 10th April, with kick-off at 7.30pm.
Ireland go into the two games unbeaten in the qualifying campaign so far with victories over Northern Ireland and Slovakia, and an impressive 0-0 draw against the Netherlands in November.
Player of the Year Harriet Scott has been ruled out of the two matches due to a collarbone injury whilst striker Stephanie Roche continues her spell on the sidelines with a long-term injury. Megan Campbell is also a long-term absentee but Bell welcomes Aine O’Gorman back to the squad after the Peamount striker recovered from a knee injury.
Florida State University midfielder Megan Connolly also comes into the squad, as well as UCD Waves winger Dearbhaile Beirne.
Republic of Ireland Squad
Goalkeepers: Marie Hourihan (Manchester City), Amanda Budden (Cork City), Amanda McQuillan (Shelbourne)
Defenders: Claire Walsh (Peamount United), Sophie Perry-Campbell (Brighton and Hove Albion), Diane Caldwell (SC Sand), Louise Quinn (Arsenal), Niamh Fahey (Bordeaux).
Midfielders: Tyler Toland (Maiden City), Megan Connolly (Florida State University), Karen Duggan (Peamount United), Denise O’Sullivan (NC Courage), Roma McLaughlin (Shelbourne), Amy Boyle-Carr (Sion Swifts).
Attackers: Katie McCabe (Arsenal), Leanne Kiernan (Shelbourne), Amber Barrett (Peamount United), Isibeal Atkinson (Shelbourne), Ruesha Littlejohn (Celtic), Aine O’Gorman (Peamount United), Claire O’Riordan (Wexford Youths), Dearbhaile Beirne (UCD Waves)
