Potentially course altering window ahead for the Girls in Green

by Alyce Collett (14/4/26)

Above: Will Katie McCabe (facing camera) and her Irish team mates have anything to truly celebrating in this potentially course altering international window? Photo: via @IrelandFootball on Twitter.

Republic of Ireland vs Poland– April 2026

Both matches will be streamed on RTÉ2 and the RTÉ Player, but those outside the island of Ireland will need a strong VPN to access the RTÉ coverage.

It is the dawn of another international window, and like all their international windows these days, this one is a significant one for the Republic of Ireland.

In the middle of the another Nations League campaign – this one serving as qualifiers for next year’s World Cup – this window in particular is perhaps more make or break than usual for the Girls in Green.

Last window saw some impressive performances from the Irish, which saw them really match it with two of the best teams in Europe – France and the Netherlands, but despite how noble those performances were they don’t count for much in the long run as they were both losses.

One trend with the Republic of Ireland in recent years is that when coming up against the stronger teams in the world, they will be competitive for much of the match and play better than their ranking in the mid to low 20s would suggest, but ultimately not able to get the job done on the scoreboard.

Although Poland should never be underestimated, these two matches provide the biggest opportunity for the Republic of Ireland to pick up some big points this campaign.

What happens this window could dictate a lot in terms of not only how easy the Irish path to qualifying for the World Cup is, but even more than that.

Finishing third in a League A group makes the play off path later this year much easier.

In the first round, whoever finishes third plays a team from League C, whereas the fourth placed side has to play a side from League B, a significant step up in quality. The side would still likely face a League B side in round two of the playoffs regardless, but the likelihood of making round two is significantly higher with that easier draw.

Not only all of this, but looking further ahead, if the Republic of Ireland finish third in their group, they remain in League A for the next Nations League campaign and break the cycle of rotating between being in League B one year, than League A the next.

For a side like the Republic of Ireland that is an up and coming side trying to lock down its place in the group of the top sides on the continent, more games against tough opponents is the only way this team will improve, and that’s just not available in League B.

Return of a legend equals massive boost

One thing that was really evident in the game against the Netherlands last window was the importance of midfield maestro Denise O’Sullivan to the heart of the Irish operation in midfield.

O’Sullivan missed the game against the Netherlands due to injury, and as such her ability to drive through the heart of midfield and break open a crowded pack was sorely missed by the Irish.

But O’Sullivan is back and ready to go this window, and after a strong run of form for club side Liverpool will be raring to go to help power the Republic of Ireland forward once again.

Will the boss reward club form?

One interesting area to keep an eye on will be how the Irish forward line sets up.

The Irish need to pick up their goal scoring production, but one trend manager Carla Ward seems to like to follow is that she has her favourite first choice players, and does not always reward domestic form with big minutes at international level.

Emily Murphy is in good form at club level and does get rewarded, but Saoirse Noonan, Abbie Larkin and Amber Barrett are also all in good form for their clubs but are not seeing the minutes for the national team that such form would suggest.

Will things change this window? Only time will tell.

Republic of Ireland Squad – April 2026 vs Poland

Goalkeepers: Courtney Brosnan, Sophie Whitehouse and Grace Moloney.

Defenders: Katie McCabe, Anna Patten, Caitlin Hayes, Aoife Mannion and Chloe Mustaki.

Midfielders: Denise O’Sullivan, Tyler Toland, Megan Connolly, Marissa Sheva, Lucy Quinn, Ruesha Littlejohn, Jess Ziu, Maria Reynolds, Aoibheann Clancy and Jamie Finn.

Forwards: Saoirse Noonan, Abbie Larkin, Leanne Kiernan, Emily Murphy, Kyra Carusa and Amber Barrett.

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