REPUBLIC OF IRELAND head coach Carla Ward has named a 23-player squad for an upcoming training camp in Marbella, Spain, which includes a behind-closed-doors international friendly against Hungary.
Kelly Brady receives her first official senior call-up after training with the squad ahead of last month’s Nations League promotion/relegation playoff win over Belgium.
The US-born former Ireland U19 international was recently named Women’s Premier Division Player of the Year after an outstanding season with Athlone Town.
“I really like Kelly,” Ward said of the 23-year-old, who is now listed as a free agent.
“I think she’s got an athleticism and a way of playing that suits what we want to do. She’s very humble, wants to learn. She was on the phone within probably 12 hours of leaving the building: ‘Can we have a call? Can we discuss what I need to improve on, what your thoughts are?’ I love that in a player.
“I’ve had a couple of conversations with her since. I think that she’s somebody that wants to continue to learn and grow and she has a mindset and a mentality of improving all the time. It will be really good to look at her properly.”
Tara O’Hanlon is called up to the squad for the first time since April 2023 after a horrific period with injury. The Manchester City left-sided youngster, currently on loan at Sunderland, is widely viewed as one of the brightest young talents in Irish football.
“I’ve watched Tara a lot in the last few weeks and I really like what I see. She’s got great potential.” said Ward.
“I’ve spoke to Katie (McCabe) a lot this week around, you know, almost that mentoring role. And Tara coming in and learning from Katie and the group, and she’s someone I see with massive potential for the future.
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“She nearly cried yesterday when I called her, bless her. But she’s somebody, like I say, that needs a bit of work, but ultimately has a mindset and attitude and the potential that we can look for for the future.”
Number one goalkeeper Courtney Brosnan and Leanne Kiernan return after missing last month’s double-header against Belgium, which secured League A status for the 2027 World Cup qualifiers.
Heather Payne (Achilles) and Megan Connolly (foot) are ruled out along with Lily Agg (knee), while Jess Ziu and Amber Barrett are being afforded extra time to recover from knocks.
Underage midfielders Aoibhe Brennan (Bohemians) and Madison McGuane (Treaty United) are among a “really big pool” of players on Ward’s radar, drawing Ella Toone parallels with the former.
On the goalkeeping situation, Ward said: “We haven’t fully decided but we’ve got three ‘keepers that you could argue a case for all three right now, I think.
“Sophie (Whitehouse) deserves an opportunity as well, she’s been sensational in the league. Grace (Moloney) did well in both games [against Belgium]. And Courtney’s Courtney. She’s our country’s number one.”
The Irish squad will assemble at their training base in Spain next Monday, 23 November, to spend the week together before facing Hungary on Saturday, 29 November.
Caps will indeed be awarded as the sides play for the 10th time at women’s senior level, Ireland having won 4-0 and 1-0 in the 2023 Nations League.
“The camp has to be building up to League A (of the World Cup qualifiers),” Ward added.
“It’s going to be a principles-based camp, embedding and continuing to work on what we want to do. It’s going to be really, really, really important five days.”
Ireland WNT Squad
Goalkeepers: Courtney Brosnan (Everton), Grace Moloney (Sunderland), Sophie Whitehouse (Charlton Athletic)
Defenders: Aoife Mannion (Newcastle United), Jessie Stapleton (Nottingham Forest – on loan), Anna Patten (Aston Villa), Caitlin Hayes (Brighton & Hove Albion), Hayley Nolan (Crystal Palace), Chloe Mustaki (Nottingham Forest), Tara O’Hanlon (Sunderland – on loan), Katie McCabe (Arsenal)
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Kelly Brady and Tara O'Hanlon called up to Ireland squad for Hungary friendly
LAST UPDATE | 18 Nov 2025
REPUBLIC OF IRELAND head coach Carla Ward has named a 23-player squad for an upcoming training camp in Marbella, Spain, which includes a behind-closed-doors international friendly against Hungary.
Kelly Brady receives her first official senior call-up after training with the squad ahead of last month’s Nations League promotion/relegation playoff win over Belgium.
The US-born former Ireland U19 international was recently named Women’s Premier Division Player of the Year after an outstanding season with Athlone Town.
“I really like Kelly,” Ward said of the 23-year-old, who is now listed as a free agent.
“I think she’s got an athleticism and a way of playing that suits what we want to do. She’s very humble, wants to learn. She was on the phone within probably 12 hours of leaving the building: ‘Can we have a call? Can we discuss what I need to improve on, what your thoughts are?’ I love that in a player.
“I’ve had a couple of conversations with her since. I think that she’s somebody that wants to continue to learn and grow and she has a mindset and a mentality of improving all the time. It will be really good to look at her properly.”
Tara O’Hanlon is called up to the squad for the first time since April 2023 after a horrific period with injury. The Manchester City left-sided youngster, currently on loan at Sunderland, is widely viewed as one of the brightest young talents in Irish football.
“I’ve watched Tara a lot in the last few weeks and I really like what I see. She’s got great potential.” said Ward.
“I’ve spoke to Katie (McCabe) a lot this week around, you know, almost that mentoring role. And Tara coming in and learning from Katie and the group, and she’s someone I see with massive potential for the future.
“She nearly cried yesterday when I called her, bless her. But she’s somebody, like I say, that needs a bit of work, but ultimately has a mindset and attitude and the potential that we can look for for the future.”
Number one goalkeeper Courtney Brosnan and Leanne Kiernan return after missing last month’s double-header against Belgium, which secured League A status for the 2027 World Cup qualifiers.
Heather Payne (Achilles) and Megan Connolly (foot) are ruled out along with Lily Agg (knee), while Jess Ziu and Amber Barrett are being afforded extra time to recover from knocks.
Underage midfielders Aoibhe Brennan (Bohemians) and Madison McGuane (Treaty United) are among a “really big pool” of players on Ward’s radar, drawing Ella Toone parallels with the former.
On the goalkeeping situation, Ward said: “We haven’t fully decided but we’ve got three ‘keepers that you could argue a case for all three right now, I think.
“Sophie (Whitehouse) deserves an opportunity as well, she’s been sensational in the league. Grace (Moloney) did well in both games [against Belgium]. And Courtney’s Courtney. She’s our country’s number one.”
The Irish squad will assemble at their training base in Spain next Monday, 23 November, to spend the week together before facing Hungary on Saturday, 29 November.
Caps will indeed be awarded as the sides play for the 10th time at women’s senior level, Ireland having won 4-0 and 1-0 in the 2023 Nations League.
“The camp has to be building up to League A (of the World Cup qualifiers),” Ward added.
“It’s going to be a principles-based camp, embedding and continuing to work on what we want to do. It’s going to be really, really, really important five days.”
Ireland WNT Squad
Goalkeepers: Courtney Brosnan (Everton), Grace Moloney (Sunderland), Sophie Whitehouse (Charlton Athletic)
Defenders: Aoife Mannion (Newcastle United), Jessie Stapleton (Nottingham Forest – on loan), Anna Patten (Aston Villa), Caitlin Hayes (Brighton & Hove Albion), Hayley Nolan (Crystal Palace), Chloe Mustaki (Nottingham Forest), Tara O’Hanlon (Sunderland – on loan), Katie McCabe (Arsenal)
Midfielders: Denise O’Sullivan (North Carolina Courage), Ruesha Littlejohn (Crystal Palace), Jamie Finn (Sunderland), Tyler Toland (Durham), Marissa Sheva (Sunderland), Lucy Quinn (Birmingham City)
Forwards: Kyra Carusa (San Diego Wave), Abbie Larkin (Crystal Palace), Emily Murphy (Newcastle United), Saoirse Noonan (Celtic), Leanne Kiernan (Liverpool), Kelly Brady (Free Agent)
International Friendly
Ireland v Hungary
Saturday, November 29th
Marbella Football Center, Malaga, Spain
KO 11:30 (Irish Time)
Closed to the public
- First published 11.07am, updated at 1pm with quotes from Carla Ward’s press conference
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Ireland WNT Squad