DENISE O’SULLIVAN HAS issued a positive injury update ahead of Ireland’s Nations League play-off against Belgium next month.
The Cork midfield maestro has been sidelined since 17 August, when she was withdrawn at half-time of North Carolina Courage’s 1-1 draw with Portland Thorns in the US National Women’s Soccer League [NWSL].
The Courage captain had previously played every single minute of the club season, while she is one of Ireland’s most important players with 125 caps.
Her injury has been listed as “lower body” by North Carolina on the NWSL availability report, while the 31-year-old has been pictured with strapping on her right knee.
O’Sullivan has suffered several knee setbacks of late, having missed the USA friendlies in June, while an MCL strain ruled her out for a period last year.
Any time away from the pitch is a long time for me. Excited to be back on the grass and making progress 🫰🏻 pic.twitter.com/OEy2XgZOWJ
“Any time away from the pitch is a long time for me,” O’Sullivan posted on X this evening.
“Excited to be back on the grass and making progress.”
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The return to pitch training is a significant boost for Ireland ahead of their crunch double-header against Belgium next month.
Carla Ward’s side are targeting promotion to League A as they welcome the Red Flames to the Aviva Stadium on Friday, 24 October, before the return leg in Leuven four days later.
Another positive in recent days saw Ruesha Littlejohn sign for Crystal Palace. Also an experienced midfielder, Littlejohn made her Palace debut in their WSL 2 win over Nottingham Forest on Sunday.
Laura Heffernan (file pic). Conor McCabe Photography.
Conor McCabe Photography.
Meanwhile, DLR Waves Women’s Premier Division manager Laura Heffernan has joined the Northern Ireland backroom team as an assistant coach.
Heffernan has been added to Tanya Oxtoby’s set-up ahead of their Nations League play-off against Iceland next month.
The 42 understands Heffernan will continue in her role with DLR Waves, who are ninth in the Women’s Premier Division table with two games left to play.
“It is a privilege to be joining the Northern Ireland senior women’s team set-up,” said Heffernan.
“The opportunity to work with Tanya, the staff and such a talented group of players was one I was delighted to accept.
“I can already see the brilliant work being done by everyone involved to develop and grow the game, and I am looking forward to contributing in any way I can.”
Heffernan previously guided Wexford Youths to league glory in 2017, while the Uefa Pro Licence holder also worked at Shelbourne as U17 head coach and first-team assistant.
The Wexford native joined DLR in 2021, winning league with the U19s before stepping up as senior assistant and then taking charge as manager in May 2023.
“We are really excited to have Laura join our technical team for this upcoming window,” said Oxtoby.
“She has a wealth of experience across the women’s game, and she will add a lot of value to our staff team moving forward.”
Former Welsh international and Bristol City first-team coach Loren Dykes is Oxtoby’s other assistant for the games against Iceland at home on Friday 24 October, and away four days later.
Northern Ireland face a big challenge as they target promotion to League A.
You can read a recent interview with Laura Heffernan on The 42 here>
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Denise O'Sullivan 'making progress' ahead of crunch Ireland play-off
LAST UPDATE | 23 Sep 2025
DENISE O’SULLIVAN HAS issued a positive injury update ahead of Ireland’s Nations League play-off against Belgium next month.
The Cork midfield maestro has been sidelined since 17 August, when she was withdrawn at half-time of North Carolina Courage’s 1-1 draw with Portland Thorns in the US National Women’s Soccer League [NWSL].
The Courage captain had previously played every single minute of the club season, while she is one of Ireland’s most important players with 125 caps.
Her injury has been listed as “lower body” by North Carolina on the NWSL availability report, while the 31-year-old has been pictured with strapping on her right knee.
O’Sullivan has suffered several knee setbacks of late, having missed the USA friendlies in June, while an MCL strain ruled her out for a period last year.
“Any time away from the pitch is a long time for me,” O’Sullivan posted on X this evening.
“Excited to be back on the grass and making progress.”
The return to pitch training is a significant boost for Ireland ahead of their crunch double-header against Belgium next month.
Carla Ward’s side are targeting promotion to League A as they welcome the Red Flames to the Aviva Stadium on Friday, 24 October, before the return leg in Leuven four days later.
Another positive in recent days saw Ruesha Littlejohn sign for Crystal Palace. Also an experienced midfielder, Littlejohn made her Palace debut in their WSL 2 win over Nottingham Forest on Sunday.
Meanwhile, DLR Waves Women’s Premier Division manager Laura Heffernan has joined the Northern Ireland backroom team as an assistant coach.
Heffernan has been added to Tanya Oxtoby’s set-up ahead of their Nations League play-off against Iceland next month.
The 42 understands Heffernan will continue in her role with DLR Waves, who are ninth in the Women’s Premier Division table with two games left to play.
“It is a privilege to be joining the Northern Ireland senior women’s team set-up,” said Heffernan.
“The opportunity to work with Tanya, the staff and such a talented group of players was one I was delighted to accept.
“I can already see the brilliant work being done by everyone involved to develop and grow the game, and I am looking forward to contributing in any way I can.”
Heffernan previously guided Wexford Youths to league glory in 2017, while the Uefa Pro Licence holder also worked at Shelbourne as U17 head coach and first-team assistant.
The Wexford native joined DLR in 2021, winning league with the U19s before stepping up as senior assistant and then taking charge as manager in May 2023.
“We are really excited to have Laura join our technical team for this upcoming window,” said Oxtoby.
“She has a wealth of experience across the women’s game, and she will add a lot of value to our staff team moving forward.”
Former Welsh international and Bristol City first-team coach Loren Dykes is Oxtoby’s other assistant for the games against Iceland at home on Friday 24 October, and away four days later.
Northern Ireland face a big challenge as they target promotion to League A.
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Denise O'Sullivan Football Injury Update Soccer Updates