LAST UPDATE | 28 Mar
REPUBLIC OF IRELAND women’s national team head coach Eileen Gleeson has named her squad for the opening Euro 2025 qualifiers against heavyweights France and England.
Anna Patten is the new face in the 26-strong squad. The Aston Villa defender is awaiting international clearance from Fifa before getting the green light. Patten, 24, qualifies through her Donegal-born grandfather and Galway-born grandmother.
“We’ve been chatting with Anna on an ongoing basis,” Gleeson told a press conference this morning. “She qualifies through family and we’re undergoing the eligibility process.
“Anna would be a great addition to the squad, playing at a really high level. Top five league in the world, and she can be a great addition to our back-line. Strong, competitive. Good pathway through her youth with Arsenal and then into Aston Villa. So she can bring a lot of good characteristics to our team.
“We’re bringing in Anna as an introduction to the camp and once she’s rubber-stamped with her eligibility, she is available for selection.”
Sinéad Farrelly is the headline absentee, owing to a “recurring quad injury,” while fellow midfield duo Denise O’Sullivan and Tyler Toland return to the fold after missing the recent friendlies against Italy and Wales.
“Gotham were hoping she’d play some part in their game this weekend – whether she will or she won’t – but the injury has recurred so she’s had a second scan,” Gleeson said about Farrelly.
“She’s just not ready and she’s not fit to come into this camp, which is unfortunate for us but we have to look at the long-term view as well around managing players and injuries.”
Niamh Fahey is included, though the Liverpool captain is a major injury concern.
In a coinciding club press conference, Reds manager Matt Beard confirmed that Fahey will be “out for a few weeks” with a calf injury.
Put to Gleeson by The 42, the Irish boss said: “Niamh has been receiving some medical scans on the calf. We’re in constant touch with the club.
“We have decided to bring her in and assess her with us and see whether it is a longer-term view to the second game against England. At the moment, we have her in the squad and we can update further then once we get to have that assessment. The conversations are ongoing with the club.”
Introducing our WNT squad ☘️
— Ireland Football ⚽️🇮🇪 (@IrelandFootball) March 28, 2024
April 5th v France
April 9th v England#COYGIG | #OUTBELIEVE pic.twitter.com/GVxAzOFTbZ
Tara O’Hanlon is also unavailable as the Manchester City youngster follows return to play protocols, while Chloe Mustaki is another absentee as she recovers from a hip injury.
There are no home-based Women’s League of Ireland players in the squad.
Ireland open their Euro 2025 qualifying campaign away to France in Metz tomorrow week, Friday 5 April, before welcoming European champions England to the Aviva Stadium on Tuesday 9th.
Single match tickets for the England game have just gone on sale — demand is brisk with over 20,000 tickets snapped up so far — with a duo package including the visit of Sweden (31 May) also available.
Ireland’s training camp will commence on 1 April at the FAI National Training Centre.
Ireland WNT Squad
Goalkeepers: Courtney Brosnan (Everton), Grace Moloney (London City Lionesses), Sophie Whitehouse (Lewes).
Defenders: Jessie Stapleton (Reading – on loan from West Ham United), Diane Caldwell (FC Zurich), Louise Quinn (Birmingham City), Niamh Fahey (Liverpool), Aoife Mannion (Manchester United), Caitlin Hayes (Celtic), Anna Patten (Aston Villa), Megan Campbell (London City Lionesses).
Midfielders: Katie McCabe (Arsenal), Denise O’Sullivan (North Carolina Courage), Megan Connolly (Bristol City), Ruesha Littlejohn (London City Lionesses), Tyler Toland (Blackburn Rovers), Lily Agg (Birmingham City), Heather Payne (Everton), Jess Ziu (West Ham United), Lucy Quinn (Birmingham City), Izzy Atkinson (Crystal Palace).
Forwards: Kyra Carusa (San Diego Wave), Abbie Larkin (Crystal Palace), Amber Barrett (Standard Liege), Leanne Kiernan (Liverpool), Emily Murphy (Wake Forest University).
- Additional reporting by Declan Bogue
- Updated 11.30am after Eileen Gleeson’s press conference.
