by Ruby Vince (22/6/23).
Above: The Republic of Ireland celebrate the playoff win over Scotland that secured their qualification for their first World Cup. Photo: FIFA.
The continued development of the Republic of Ireland under Vera Pauw’s stewardship has led them to qualify for their first-ever World Cup this year.
Squad
A preliminary squad of 31 players has been selected and is detailed below. It will be cut to 23 shortly.
Goalkeepers: Courtney Brosnan (Everton), Grace Moloney (Reading), Megan Walsh (Brighton & Hove Albion), Sophie Whitehouse (Lewes).
Defenders: Áine O’Gorman (Shamrock Rovers), Niamh Fahey (Liverpool), Louise Quinn (Birmingham City), Diane Caldwell (Reading), Megan Campbell (Liverpool), Harriet Scott (Birmingham City), Claire O’Riordan (Celtic), Chloe Mustaki (Bristol City), Hayley Nolan (London City Lionesses), Tara O’Hanlon (Peamount United).
Midfielders: Denise O’Sullivan (North Carolina Courage), Katie McCabe (Arsenal), Ruesha Littlejohn (Aston Villa), Megan Connolly (Brighton & Hove Albion), Ciara Grant (Heart of Midlothian), Jamie Finn (Birmingham City), Lucy Quinn (Birmingham City), Roma McLaughlin (Fortuna Hjørring), Lily Agg (London City Lionesses), Sinead Farrelly (NY/NJ Gotham).
Forwards: Amber Barratt (Turbine Potsdam), Heather Payne (Florida State), Leanne Kiernan (Liverpool), Kyra Carusa (London City Lionesses), Abbie Larkin (Shamrock Rovers), Saoirse Noonan (Durham), Marissa Sheva (Washington Spirit).
Head coach
Vera Pauw is the head coach of the Republic of Ireland women’s football team, a Dutchwomen with extensive experience. Appointed in September 2019, Pauw has brought a wealth of knowledge and expertise to the team, having previously coached the Netherlands women’s national team and various club teams in Europe and the United States.
World Cup history
This is the first World Cup that the Republic of Ireland has qualified for.
How they qualified
Ireland had a tough run of matches to earn their qualification for the competition. The team secured a crucial victory in their World Cup qualifying campaign, defeating Finland 1-0 in a Group A match. The decisive goal was scored in the second half by substitute Lily Agg, allowing the Irish team to claim second place in the group with one game remaining. This saw them move on to the European qualification play-off final. Their 1–0 win over Scotland in Glasgow on 11th October 2022 sealed the historic qualification. A crucial first-half penalty save from Courtney Brosnan kept Ireland alive before Amber Barrett scored the decisive goal.
Key Players
Denise O’Sullivan – midfield. One of the top players in the NWSL where she plays for North Carolina Courage, O’Sullivan will be hugely important to Ireland’s hopes. The midfielder has 101 caps and 19 goals for her country.
Louise Quinn – defender. One of the stars of the team, Quinn, who captains Birmingham City in the Championship earned her 99th cap against Scotland. The former Peamount United, Arsenal, and Fiorentina player has scored an impressive 15 goals for her country. She was also named Birmingham’s top goalscorer for 2021-22, as a defender, but could do nothing more to assist her team avoid relegation from the WSL.
Courtney Brosnan – goalkeeper. The American-born Everton keeper was one of the heroines of Ireland’s win over Scotland earning their place in the World Cup, saving a second-half penalty from Caroline Weir. She has 21 caps for Ireland and has kept many clean sheets, the former West Ham star will play a crucial part in Ireland’s World Cup chances.
One to watch
Megan Campbell is a crucial part of the Irish game plan, she an incredible long throw-in. She caused all sorts of havoc against Scotland with her skills and no doubt Vera Pauw is hoping she will do the same in Australia. The Liverpool star is a tough left-back who was pivotal in Matt Beard’s team getting promoted to the WSL at the end of the 2021/22 season.
Success would be
As this is their World Cup debut, a combination of three solid performances, goals scored, and third place in the group would be an excellent achievement.
Prediction
Third in the group.
Group B Fixtures
20th July – Australia, Stadium Australia, Sydney.
26th July – Canada, HBF Park, Perth.
31st July – Nigeria, Suncorp Stadium, Brisbane.
This is Ruby Vince’s debut article for Impetus. To read her writers’ bio and those of all our contributors, click on this link: https://impetusfootball.org/about-our-contributors/
To read the other World Cup nation previews published so far, click on this link: https://impetusfootball.org/international-football/
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