Republic of Ireland U-19 Head Coach Dave Connell has named a 20-player squad for a double-header against Italy.
Connell’s side will travel to Rome, Italy for two international friendlies on Thursday, January 17 and Saturday, January 19 at the Olympic Center Giulio Onesti.
Kelly Brady, who plays for American side World Class, receives her first international call-up while there are also call-ups for WNL Goalkeeper of the Year Erica Turner and Brighton & Hove Albion’s Megan Mackey.
Tiegan Ruddy misses out through injury as the squad begin their preparations for the UEFA European Championships Elite Round phase which take place in April. Ireland will face Spain, Serbia and Hungary as they look to qualify for the finals in Scotland in July.
“We’re really looking forward to testing ourselves against Italy and it should provide a valuable test with the qualifiers coming up in April,” Head Coach Connell told fai ie.
“We’re delighted to welcome Kelly Brady to the squad, her first call-up in international football, and the two friendlies will give me a great opportunity to use the full squad.
“It’s important every player is working towards their very best with the Elite Round coming up in April. We’ve got fantastic competition for places with so many players playing so well across the Women’s National League.”
Republic of Ireland U-19 Squad
Goalkeepers: Erica Turner (DLR Waves), Rachael Kelly (Shelbourne)
Defenders: Sadhbh Doyle (Galway), Roisin McGovern (DLR Waves), Rachel Baynes (Galway), Doireann Fahey (Wexford), Aoife Slattery (Wexford), Leah Brady (Galway), Katie Burdis (DLR Waves)
Midfielders: Lucia Lobato (Galway), Megan Mackey (Brighton & Hove Albion), Chloe Singleton (Galway), Aoife Thompson (Galway), Amy Boyle-Carr (Sion Swifts), Sinead Donovan (Galway)
Forwards: Ciara Fowler (unattached), Alannah McEvoy (Shelbourne), Carla McManus (Kilkenny United), Keelin McEntee (DLR Waves), Kelly Brady (World Class)
