DENISE O’SULLIVAN AND Tyler Toland have been ruled out of Ireland’s upcoming friendly double-header against Italy and Wales through injury.
With the midfield pair unavailable, Eileen Gleeson has handed a first senior call-up to 17-year-old Jess Fitzgerald, who will join next week’s camp in Florence along with her Peamount United team-mate Erin McLaughlin.
O’Sullivan picked up a “minor” knee injury during her club North Carolina Courage’s pre-season friendly with Orlando Pride last week, but is expected to be fully fit in time for their NWSL league opener on 16 March, as well as Ireland’s first Euro 2025 qualifiers in April.
Blackburn Rovers’ Toland will also sit out the friendlies with a knee injury, which is also thought to be a minor issue.
In better news for Gleeson, Louise Quinn has been cleared to train following a scan on her recent shoulder injury, and will take her place in the squad in Italy this week.
Ireland will take on Italy in Florence on Friday 23 February before hosting Wales at Tallaght Stadium on Tuesday 27 February.
In England’s Championship on Sunday, Izzy Atkinson made it two goals in her last two league games for Crystal Palace as they beat Blackburn Rovers 4-0.
On home soil, Shamrock Rovers have confirmed that Savannah McCarthy has been hit with an ankle injury. The Ireland defender had recently returned to the international picture after an ACL injury, but is facing another spell on the sidelines.
“Savannah McCarthy has today undergone successful ankle surgery following an injury sustained in Saturday’s pre-season friendly in Galway,” a statement from Rovers reads.
“Sav will now begin a period of rehabilitation and with the support of the club, will be working hard to get back on the pitch as soon as possible. Everyone at the club sends their best wishes to Sav for a full and speedy recovery.”
– Additional reporting by Emma Duffy
