LAST UPDATE | 26 Jul 2023
IRELAND HAVE BEEN forced into a late change less than half an hour before kick-off for their crucial World Cup Group B clash against Canada at Perth Rectangular Stadium [KO 1pm Irish / 8pm local time, live RTÉ 2].
Áine O’Gorman starts at right-wing back instead of Heather Payne, who had been struggling with a tight hamstring. She earns her 119th cap, having made her Ireland debut in March 2006 and reversed her retirement decision (2018) in 2020.
The FAI say Payne “felt a sweat in her hamstring during the warm-up”. Payne pulled out of the warmup before speaking to medical staff in the dugout. Manager Vera Pauw then spoke to her assistant, Tom Elmes, and goalkeeping coach, Jan Willem van Ede, before approaching centurion O’Gorman. The Shamrock Rovers player then went into sprints with the starting team, receiving a hug from Pauw and high-fives from team-mates, while Payne appeared upset in sideline footage.
Lucy Quinn, who impressed off the bench in last week’s 1-0 defeat to Australia, comes into the XI in place of Marissa Sheva.
Late change…
— Ireland Football ⚽️🇮🇪 (@IrelandFootball) July 26, 2023
Áine O’Gorman comes in for Heather Payne who felt a tweak in her hamstring during the warm-up.#COYGIG | #OUTBELIEVE pic.twitter.com/1KSXUKfG5r
Louise Quinn also starts after winning her fitness race. Quinn sustained a knock against Australia and had been wearing a protective boot on her left foot and taking a limited part in training until yesterday. It’s understood the Irish centurion came through full contact training with no issues, ensuring her availability.
Pauw had hinted that she could start Abbie Larkin, though the Shamrock Rovers teenage star is held in reserve.
Ireland must avoid defeat tonight to keep their World Cup progression hopes in their own hands.
Jessie Fleming, meanwhile, returns to the Canada team after missing their 0-0 draw with Nigeria through injury. Christine Sinclair drops to the bench, with Kadeisha Buchanan in from the start despite missing training due to illness yesterday.
IRELAND: Courtney Brosnan; Áine O’Gorman, Louise Quinn, Niamh Fahey, Megan Connolly, Katie McCabe; Sinead Farrelly, Denise O’Sullivan, Ruesha Littlejohn, Lucy Quinn; Kyra Carusa.
CANAD: Kailen Sheridan; Kadeisha Buchanan, Jayde Riviere, Ashley Lawrence, Vanessa Gilles; Quinn, Julia Grosso; Jessie Fleming; Evelyne Viens, Jordyn Huitema, Adriana Leon.
Referee: Laura Fortunato (Argentina).
