Above: The Irish Women’s National Team in a training session. Photo: Ireland Football Twitter.
By Alyce Collett (5/29/25).
Like just about every international window these days, the upcoming international window is incredibly important for the Republic of Ireland.
Set to face Turkiye and Slovenia in the UEFA Women’s Nations League; the reverse fixtures from the February window, the Girls in Green are arguably the side in their League B group with the most on the line this window.
With where the side is at currently, the goal will be to top the group and get promoted straight back up to League A, the bare minimum being finishing second and qualifying for a promotion playoff. With the potential to have to face sides like Austria, Iceland, Portugal or Denmark in that play off, the Irish will be wanting to avoid that extra step.
However, to finish top of the group will not be easy. Mainly because of how badly things went against Slovenia last time, The Irish need to make up a goal difference of seven, so two wins this window will not be enough by itself. These wins need to be big, and big wins have not been a theme with the Irish team for a while.
Last time against the Turkish, the Irish really struggled to get past the low block the Turkish deployed. Although Kyra Carusa did eventually pop up and score what turned out to be the winner, it was far from convincing from the Irish.
Speed in attack is going to be crucial, and without Heather Payne bringing the pace out of defence, others are going to have to step up.
The key may be shaking up the forward line. Carusa has been the first choice striker for a while, but has only played five matches this National Women’s Soccer League (NWSL) season, and has not played more than 29 minutes in any of those matches. Republic of Ireland manager Carla Ward needs to reward those in form and that have been playing more regularly, which is players like Saoirse Noonan, Amber Barrett, Abbie Larkin, Lucy Quinn, and Erin Healy.
Meanwhile in the last Slovenia game, the Irish were simply outclassed. That particular match left many Irish fans scratching their heads in concern, as there was just about nothing positive to take out of that game. Part of the blame can be partially laid at the fact that the team was still getting used to Ward and her system, but regardless if history repeats in any way at Páirc Uí Chaoimh on Tuesday, the Irish can kiss their hopes of a top spot finish goodbye.
WILL KATIE MCCABE PLAY?
One of the big questions surrounding the Irish squad this window is the availability of captain Katie McCabe.
McCabe is coming off a long season with Arsenal and in particular a big weekend last weekend, winning the UEFA Women’s Champions League.
There is a noticeably negative difference in the Irish side when McCabe is not in it, so if she is not able to play for any section of the matches, others are really going to need to stand up.
THE NEWEST GIRL IN GREEN
The other big question surrounding the group is around the newest member of the group, Erin Healy.
Healy is an American born forward, who qualifies for the Republic of Ireland through her Monaghan born grand father. She is currently playing in Australia’s A-League Women’s for Adelaide United.
She plays a more central role, but is quick and is not afraid to take on defenders so is exactly the kind of player the Irish side needs, but the question will be is Ward willing to play someone who is so new to international football? Only time will tell.
The Republic of Ireland will take on Turkiye in Istanbul tomorrow night before returning to the Emerald Isle to take on Slovenia in Cork on Tuesday night. Both matches will be shown on RTE2, but fans outside the Republic may need a strong VPN to be able to tune into RTE’s coverage.
IRELAND WNT SQUAD – MAY/JUNE WINDOW VS TURKIYE AND SLOVENIA
Goalkeepers: Courtney Brosnan, Grace Moloney and Sophie Whitehouse.
Defenders: Jessie Stapleton, Aoife Mannion, Anna Patten, Caitlin Hayes, Louise Quinn, Chloe Mustaki, Megan Campbell and Katie McCabe.
Midfielders: Denise O’Sullivan, Ruesha Littlejohn, Megan Connolly, Tyler Toland, Marissa Sheva and Aoibheann Clancy.
Forwards: Kyra Carusa, Amber Barrett, Abbie Larkin, Lucy Quinn, Emily Murphy, Saoirse Noonan and Erin Healy.
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